FROM   THE   LIBRARY  OF 
REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,  D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED   BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


DMsioa 
Sectfoa 


THE 

GATES    OF    PRAISE. 


DR.    MACDUFF'S    WORKS. 


Memories  of  Patmos $2.00 

Memories  of  Olivet 200 

Comfort  ye,  Comfort  ye 1.50 

Noontide  at  Sychar 1.50 

Memories  of  Gennesaret 1.50 

The  Footsteps  of  St.  Paul 1  50 

Sunsets  on  the  Hebrew  Mountains 1.50 

The  Shepherd  and  his  Flock 1.50 

The  Prophet  of  Fire 1.50 

Clefts  of  the  Rock 1  50 

St.  Paul  in  Rome 1.25 

The  Gates  of  Prayer.     A  Book  of  Private  Devotion 

for  Morning  and  Evening 

Family  Prayers 1.25 

Memories  of  Bethany 1.00 

The  Healing  Waters  of  Israel 1.25 

Grapes  of  Eshcol 1.00 

Tales  of  the  Warrior-Judges 1.00 

Altar  Incense  (Private  Prayers) 1.00 

The  Story  of  Bethlehem 1  00 

The  Hart  and  Water-brooks 1.00 

The  Woodcutter  and  Exiles i-oo 

Curfew  Chimes 0.75 

Words  and  Mind  of  Jesus    ...          0.-0 

Morning  and  Night  Watches 0.5c 

Thoughts  of  God 0.50 

The  Bow  in  the  Cloud 0.50 

G:ties  of  Refuge 050 

Great  Journey 0.50 

Child's  Book  of  Divinity 0.35 

P'ergus  Morton 0.35 

A  Golden  Sunset 0.35 


ROBERT    CARTER    AND    BROTHERS, 
New  York. 


THE 


GATES    OF    P 


\nii  otjjcr  (Drigtnal  JSnmns,  poems,  an& 
fragments  of  U*rst. 


/  /    BY 

t  y 

J.  R.  MACDUFF,  D.D. 

AUTHOR    OF    "  MORNING    AND    NIGHT   WATCHES,' 
"MEMORIES    OF    BETHANY,"  ETC.    ETC- 


NEW     YORK: 
ROBERT    CARTER    AND    BROTHERS, 

530  Broadway. 
1S76. 


Cambridge : 
Presswo7'k  by  John   Wilson  6°  Son. 


THESE  PAGES  ABB 

g*fcUat*ir 

TO 
MY  VENERATED  FRIEND, 

H.    V.    TEBBS,    Esq. 

(late  of  doctors  commons), 

WHO   HAS  SOOTHED   MANY  BY  HIS   POETRY, 

MANY  MORE   BY   HIS   WORDS  AND  DEEDS   OF   KINDNESS, 

AND   MADE, 

BOTH   AT   HOME   AND  ABROAD, 

THE  CHURCH   OF  CHRIST  HIS  DEBTOR, 


preface. 


Most  of  the  following  Verses  were  com- 
posed, in  the  midst  of  other  studies,  for  this 
Volume.  Some;  however,  have  appeared  in 
various  shapes  and  at  wide  intervals  else- 
where, and  are  now  put  in  a  collected  form. 

A  few,  as  will  be  seen,  were  written  with  a 
purposed  simplicity.  They  remain  unaltered 
as  originally  cast. 

The  insertion  of  two  pieces  at  the  close, 
from  a  now  silent  pen,  is  explained  in  a  foot- 
note. 


Contents. 


PACK 

The  Gates  of  Praise           . 

I 

Song  of  Deborah    .             •             . 

IO 

The  First  Advent .             .             • 

22 

u  The  City  of  the  Crystal  Sea  "      . 

25 

Natures  Hymn     .             .             • 

35 

Sennacherib            .             .             • 

3* 

The  Divine  Sovereignty     . 

69 

The  Yearning  of  the  Father  and  the  Sigh 

of  the  Prodigal            .              . 

73 

"  But  Thou  Femaiuest"   .             . 

76 

Farewell  to  Palestine          •             . 

78 

What  is  a  Noble  Life  ?      . 

85 

David  Livingstone:  His  Death  and  Burial 

92 

The  Incorruptible  . 

102 

Missionary  Hymn — The  Cross  of  Ch 

ist  . 

103 

Mizfiah      .... 

106 

CONTENTS. 


The  Rock  of  Ages  . 

Early  Graves 

A  Threefold  Litany 

Here  and  There    . 

Even  So    . 

Ihe  Possession  of  Iniquity  . 

The  Strength  of  he  Weary  . 

Barzillai  the  Gileadite        •  . 

Sufficient  Grace      .  .  . 

Be  Ye  also  Ready  .  .  . 

Beyond  the  River   . 

The  Co7iirite  and  Hujjible  Spirit  . 

Ebe?iezer    .... 

Prayer        .  .  •  . 

Scepticism  and  Faith  .  . 

Life's  Eventide       .  •  • 

Hy?nn  of  the  Exiled  Vaudois 

"  Love  of  Right,  and  Scorn  of  Wrong" 

The  Mutable  and  the  Immutable    . 

Sins  Cast  into  the  Depths  of  the  Sea 

Paraphrase  of  Psalm  xxiii. 

Missionary  Hymn — Millennial  Glory 


CONTENTS. 


y&vish   Missionary   Hymn — The   Captiz 

PAGE 

e 

Daughter  of  Z ion 

167 

Morning  Hymn     . 

170 

A  Mourner's  Morning  Hymn 

173 

Evening  Hymn 

177 

Sunday  Morning   . 

179 

Christmas  .... 

1S2 

Suffering  and  Victory — Passion  Week  ant 

i 

Easter 

184 

Easter                     . 

,         187 

Whitsunday            .             .             . 

189 

Second  Advent        .             •             . 

191 

Holy  Communion  .             . 

193 

Hai-vest  Hymn       .             .             . 

195 

The  All- Sufficiency  of  Christ's  Love           . 

197 

There  are  no  Untimely  Deaths       .             , 

199 

Where  is  Peace  Found       .             .             , 

202 

The  Grave  of  Bethany       .             .             , 

204 

Old  Age  Befriended            .             •             , 

206 

The  Fountain  of  Salvation             •             , 

208 

Bonus  Pastor          .             .             , 

210 

The  Good  Shepherd            .            .             , 

211 

xii                                  COX  TEXTS. 

PAGB 

Life  and  Death       .             .             • 

212 

"  Comfort  Ye"       .             •             .             , 

213 

A   Warning  Bell   . 

217 

The  Best  Friend    .             . 

219 

Unbelief  Rebuked  . 

221 

The  Song  of  the  Redeemed  in  Heaven 

223 

The  Day  Breaketh 

226 

The  Final  Rest      .             •             .             , 

227 

I ?i  Memoriam — 

The  Prince  Consort    .             # 

231 

The  Fallen  Flower      .             . 

237 

Thomas  Guthrie,  D.D. 

239 

A.  M. 

242 

Isabelle:  a  legend  of  Provence 

244 

To   a    Mother  on   the   Death  of  a?i   Only 
Daughter       .... 


254 


©ije  ffiates  of  praise* 


Temple  of  Praise  !  while  yet  the  world  was 

young 
Thy  portals  opened  :  when  the  morning  star 
Over  a  new-born  earth  its  matin  sung, 
And  all  the  Sons  of  God,  from  near  and  far, 
Shouted  for  joy  :  unwaged  the  direful  war 
Of  sin  and  death ; — unknown  the  Tempter's 

thraU : 
No  note  discordant  was  allowed  to  mar 
Creation's  tuneful  harmonies  ;  but  all 
Her  harps  were  strung  to  keep  high  birthday 

festival. 

While     thus     remained     unblighted     Eden'a 

bowers, 

Her  two  unfallen  minstrels  loved  to  raise 

A 


THE   GATES   OF  PRAISE. 


Their    pure     and    faultless    orisons  :  —  glad 

hours, 
In  grateful  adoration  of  the  ways 
Of  their  Supreme  Creator  : — blessed  lays 
Chaunted  by  holy  lips  ; — a  holy  hymn 
That    sanctified    earth's    earliest    "Gates    of 

Praise," 
Ere  yet  transgression  made  their  lustre  dim, 
And  o'er  them  waved   the  sword  of  naming 

cherubim. 

Ages  roll  by  : — Apostacy,  begat 
Of  monster  sin,  is  swept  by  flood  away ; 
Till,  on  the  rainbowed  heights  of  Ararat, 
A  Patriarch  pilgrim  hails  the  virgin  ray 
Of  a  long  sackclothed  sun.     Upon  the  day 
Which  saw  the  bu.ied  earth  once  more  arise, 
Clad  in  new  robes  of  bridal-like  array, 
Hymns  eucharistic  to  cerulean  skies 
Rose  sweetly  blending  with  the  flame  of  sacri- 
fice. 


THE    GATES    OF   PRAISE. 


New  and  strange   sight   beheld   on   Red   Sea 

shores : 
The  Gates  of  Praise  festooned  with  feathery 

palm ! 
What  music  this  a  coward  host  restores, 
Breathed  amid  jungle -groves  of  fragrant  halm, 
As  lute  and  timbrel  lead  the  mighty  psalm, 
Ascribing  power  and  glorious  victory 
Unto  the  Lord  of  Hosts — the  Great  I  Am  : 
Who,  in  the  depths  of  the  tumultuous  sea, 
Rider  and  horse   hath  cast,    and    triumphed 

gloriously  ? 

Yet  wider  open  throw  these  Gates  of  Praise, 
To  hail  the  advent  of  the  Minstrel  King ; 
And  catch  the  music  of  his  varying  lays, 
Soaring  triumphant  upon  eagle  wing. 
It  seemed  as  if  some  angel,  hovering 
Between  the  earth  and  heaven,  had   dropt   a 

wire 
Of  his  celestial  harp  :  the  charmed  string 


THE   GATES    OF  PRAISE. 


The  shepherd -boy  seized  for  his  mountain  lyre, 
And   sang  thenceforth  the  songs  of  heaven's 
seraphic  choir. 

Hark  !  how  he  calls  all  Nature  to  arise 
In  homage  to  its  Maker !     Earth  and  sea, 
Sun,  moon,  and  stars,  hymning  in  midnight 

skies 
On  silver  harps  their  speechless  minstrelsy  : 
Fire,  snow,  and  vapour  ;  stormy  wind,  and  tree 
Of  hoary  Lebanon  ;  and  mountain  spring, 
Speeding  its  headlong  course  in  babbling  glee, 
Or  in  the  valleys  softly  murmuring, 
By  which  the  fowls   of    heaven    among  the 

branches  sing. 

Now  in  an  avalanche  of  rushing  song, 
Now  in  sweet  melody  of  psalm  and  hymn, 
The  notes  of  magic  music  float  along 
Of  one  who  gazed  on  veiled  Seraphim 
Within  the  sacred  Temple.     Not  in  dim 


THE   GATES    OF  PRAISE. 


And  dull  perspective  ; — for  he  saw  the  train 
Of  the  enthroned  King,  and  spake  of  Him. 
The  Prophet's  harp  awoke  its  loftiest  strain 
When  down  the  depths  of  Time  it  sang  Mes- 
siah's reign. 

Oh,  favoured  bard  !  before  whose  vision  passed 
The  ghosts  of  shadowy  empires — Edom,  Tyre, 
Philistia,  and  Babylon  ;  each  cast, 
Like  the  dead  carcase,  on  its  funeral  pyre. 
But  not  the  wind,  the  earthquake,  or  the  fire 
Of  such   stern  judgments,   formed  thy  chief 

behest, 
'Twas  when  the  slumbering  music  of  thy  lyre 
Taught  thee  to  fold  thy  wings  in  Christ's  sweet 

rest, 
And  in  the  Rock  of  Ages  build  the  eternal  nest ! 

Long  years  have  passed  ; — when  lo  !  the  mid- 
night sky 
Teems  with  celestial  hosts — a  mighty  throng, 


THE    GATES    OF   PRAISE. 


Bearing  their  burning  message  from  on  high  ; 
Ten  thousand  angel-harps  the  strains  prolong. 
Ye  Gates  of  Praise,  wide  open  !  for  among 
The  sons  of  men  is  born  the  King  of  Kings. 
Let  heaven  and  earth   combine  their  loftiest 

song 
To  Him  who  pardon  and  salvation  brings, 
And  hail  the  Risen  Sun  with  healing  in  His 

wings ! 

The    summons    is    obeyed.      From    earliest 

hymn 
Of  lowly  gratitude  and  love,  which  rose 
From  Virgin  Mother's  lips,  adoring  Him 
As  her  own  Saviour  ;  to  the  song,  of  those 
Heroic  martyrs,  who,  amid  the  throes 
Of  death  and  torture,  with  attendant  shame, 
Confronting  demon  rage  of  hellish  foes, 
Ceased  not  in  strains  of  triumph  to  proclaim, 
Unflinching,  joyous  trust  in  Christ's  great  love 

and  name  ! 


THE    GATES    OF   PRAISE, 


And  still  the  voice  of  praise  ascends  aloud  ; 

Waking  the  echoes  in  each  corridor 

Of    the   vast   Christian    Temple.      Wondrous 

crowd  ! 
Who  love  the  Name  of  Jesus  to  ador^  : 
From  ransomed  spirits  on  the  heavenly  shore, 
The  golden  harpers  of  the  glassy  sea, 
Standing  as  minstrel  Levites  evermore, 
To  saints  on  earth  who  lowly  b  ml  the  knee, 
And  hymn   through  tear  -  dimmed  eyes  their 

plaintive  melody. 

Nor  is  Creation  silent ;  every  wood,  . 

And  tuneful  grove,  and  stream  that  warbles 

by, 

Through  flowery  mead  or  lonely  solitude. 
The  lark  shrill  carolling  in  vernal  sky, 
The  nightingale  with  gushing  minstrelsy, 
The  ocean  lifting  its  eternal  voice, 
The  thunder  pealing   through  the   vaults  on 
high. 


THE   GATES   OF  PRAISE. 


Majestic  orchestra  !     All.  all  rejoice 
To  swell  the  lofty  song  and  "make  a  joyful 
noise." 

Thrice  blessed  will  that  promised  era  he, 
When  this  fair  world,  then  fairer  still,  shall 

rise 
In  pristine  beauty.     When  no  minor  key 
Shall  mingle  with  her  joyous  harmonies  : 
When  all  that's  good  remains,  and  evil  dies. 
Nor  sin,  nor  death,  nor  woe,  shall  e'er  again 
Project   their   dismal   shadows.     Hushed   the 

cries 
Of  cruel  war,  unloosed  the  bondsman's  chain, 
And  every  harp   attuned  to    sing   Messiah's 

reign. 

0  gracious  Lord  of  all !     Immortal  King  ! 
Dwelling  in  regions  of  unclouded  day 
Within  heaven's  Temple-Gates — inhabiting 
The  praises  of  Thine  own  Eternity  ; 


THE   GATES    OF   PRAISE. 


Accept  the  tribute  of  this  feeble  lay  : 

And   grant,    at   last,    that   'mid   the    burning 

throng 
Of  glorious  spirits,  who  in  bright  array, 
Through  endless  years  their  anthem-peals  pro- 
long, 
A  humble  strain  be  mine  in  the  unending 
song! 


•Sonij   of  iDeboral). 


A  Poetical  Paraphrase  and  Traxsi  ation. 
— Judges  v.  1-31.* 


In  TFODUCTioN. — Key-note  of  the  song — its  purpose  and 
theme. 

Praise  the  name  of  Great  Jehovah  ! 

Israel's  vengeance  has  been  wrought. 
Silenced  is  the  chariot's  rattle, 
Willing  people  rushed  to  battle, 

Nobly  have  her  warriors  fought. 

Hear,  ye  kings  ;  give  ear,  ye  princes  ; 
Gather  round,  ye  patriot  throng. 

*  I  have  availed  myself  of  the  most  approved  recent 
readings  and  alterations  of  Hebrew  scholars  ;  a'though  our 
own  authorised  versiori  preserves,  with  singular  accuracy, 
the  spirit  of  the  original. 


SONG    OF   DEBORAH.  \\ 

As  I  now  recount  the  story, 
And  ascribe  to  God  the  glory, 

Wake,  my  harp  !  and  aid  the  song. 

The  great  victory  of  a  former  age.  —  The  proudest 
me7iiory  of  the  Hebrew  annals  is  recalled. 

0  Jehovah  !  when  Thou  wentest 
Forth  in  Thy  great  might  from  Seir, 
When  through  Edom's  field  Thou  sentest 
Storm  and  cloud  in  wild  career ; — 
Quaked  the  earth  with  thunder  riven, 
Mountain-heights  asunder  driven, 

Forked  arrows  fell  apace  : 
Yea,  the  clouds  down  water  poured, 
At  Thine  awful  presence,  Lord, 
Sinai  trembled  to  its  base. 

The  recent  desolation  of  the  land.  —  To  enhance  the 
greatness  of  the  triumph,  the  previous  demoralisation 
of  the  people  is  described. 

In  Jael's  days,  and  those  of  Shamgar, 
Son  of  Anath — lion-hearted  ; 


12  SONG    OF   DEBORAH, 

Panic-stricken  was  the  nation, 
All  its  prowess  had  departed  : 

Every  foeman  cowered  with  fright 
From  the  warlike  Canaanite. 


Byways  were  by  travellers  taken, 
All  the  highways  were  forsaken  ; 
Israel's  hamlets,  ceased  had  they, 
And  in  heaps  of  ruin  lay. 
Stranger  gods  the  people  chose 
Till  I,  Deborah,  arose, 

To  save  them  from  their  fate  : 
Apostate  race  !  alas  !  till  then, 
Among  her  forty  thousand  men, 
No  voice  was  heard  to  turn  again 

The  war-cry  from  the  gate  : 
Shield    there    was    none,    nor   spear   noi 

sword, 
To  fight  the  battles  of  the  Lord  : — 

The  land  degenerate ! 


SONG   OF   DEBORAH.  13 


Tribute  of  thanks  to  the  victorious  army. — The 
brave  of  all  ranks  wJio  willingly  offered  themselves 
in  the  hotir  oj peril. 


My  spirit,  grateful,  turns  to  you, 
Ye  chiefs  of  Israel  noted  ; 
And  you,  ye  people,  staunch  and  true, 
The  loyal  self  devoted  j 
Let  us  raise 
Our  Hymn  of  Praise, 
Praise  Jehovah ! 


A  special  call  made  to  those  who,  by  victory,  have  had 
their  state  and  htxuries  restored. 


Ye  who  on  white  she-asses  ride, 
Or  seat  yourselves  on  rich  divans, 
Who  at  the  Judgment -gate  preside, 
Or  march  in  gorgeous  caravans  ; 

Ye  who  the  highway  walk  along, 
Come,  meditate  with  me  the  song  ! 


14  SONG    OF   DEBORAH. 

The  contrast.  —  The  Peace  which  followed  a  reign  of 
terror.  The  women  of  Israel  resume,  without  dread, 
the  drawing  of  water  at  the  village  fcuntains  ;  and 
the  gates  of  the  cities  are  again  opened. 

No  more  the  archers'  shouts  of  plunder 
Rise  now  at  the  wells  of  water  : 
There  the  matron  and  her  daughter 
Listen  with  exulting  wonder 
To  the  call  to  come  and  tell, 
What  through  God's  great  acts  befel 
The  tribes  of  chosen  Israel. 
Silenced  is  the  battle's  roar, 
The  bow  is  now  unstrung, 
Up  high  the  shield  is  hung, 
The  gates  which  panic  shut  before 
Are  now  wide  open  flung  ! 


The  Invocation. — By  a  sudden  transition  she  calls  upon 
herself  as  the  minstrel  of  the  occasion,  to  rise  to  the 
dignity  of  the  theme; — introducing  the  name  of 
Israel's  leader. 


0  Deborah  awake, 
Lift  up  the  song, 


SONG   OF   DF.no RAH.  15 


Barak  arise  !  and  break 
The  serried  throng. 
Son  of  Abinoam,  forth  to  martial  deed  ! 
And  in  triumphal  pride  thy  captive  captives 
lead. 


The  muster  of  the  tribes. — She  praises  the  willing. 

Down  against  the  foemen  mighty 
Came  the  valiant  of  Jehovah  ; 
They  went  down  against  the  heroes, 
Epliraim  from  the  Mount  of  Amalek  ; 
Benjamin  then  followed  after ; 
Rulers  of  the  ho  st  from  Machir  : 
Out  of  Zebulon,  the  favoured, 
Who  the  mustering  warriors  marshalled: 
Issachar,  though  once  a  wave  re  r, 
Came  with  me  and  all  his  princes — 
Issachar  the  strength  of  Barak. 
Oa  they  rushed  into  the  Valley. 


16  SOXG    OF   DEBORAH. 

The  I  alf-Learted  and  cowardly  are  rebuked. 

First,  beside  the  streams  of  Reuben, 
There  were  heard  some  brave  decis'ons  : 
Why   then  sat'st  thou  'mong  thy  sheep- 
folds  ? 
Was  it  idly  there  to  listen 
To  the  lo wings  of  thy  cattle  ; 
Peaceful  pastorals  preferring 
To  the  blare  of  martial  trumpet  ? 
Reuben  !  thine  unstable  ardour 
Ended  only  in  debatings. 
Gilead,  'cross  the  Jordan  lingers  : 
Dan — why  tarry  'mong  thy  shipping? 
By  the  sea-shore  sitteth  Ashur, 
And  rejoice th  in  his  harbours. 

Two  loyal  tribes. 

Zebulon,  the  death-defying, 
Vied  with  Napthali  in  rushing 
To  the  thickest  of  the  battle. 


SONG    OF  DEBORAH.  1 7 


The  battle  and  the  battle-field.  —  The  gathering 
of  the  Canaanites,  and  the  rush  of  the  tempest  which 
decided  the  fortunes  of  the  day. 

There  the  kings  of  Canaan  came, 
Kings  of  Canaan  came  and  fought 

Near  Megiddo's  water  : 
Bootless  was  their  daring  aim, 
Golden  booty  took  they  not, 

In  that  day  of  slaughter. 

Sisera  !— the  stars  on  high, 
Fought  against  thy  myriad  host ; 
Tempests  gathered  in  the  sky  ; 
In  the  storm-blast  thou  wert  lost ! 

More  than  sword,  or  sling,  or  stone, 
Was  the  hail  from  heaven  which  fell ; 

God's  own  arrows  had  o'erthrown 
The  foemen  of  His  Israel. 

Kishon  with  its  gushing  stream 
Swept  the  struggling  ranks  away  ; 

Vain  all  efforts  to  redeem 

The  fortunes  of  that  direful  day  ! 

B 


l8  SONG    OF   DEBORAH. 

The  heavens  above  in  blackness  frown, 
That  ancient  torrent  bore  them  down. 

The  hosts  of  Sisera  were  scattering. 

As  the  stars  fought  in  their  courses  ; 
Broken  hoofs  heard  wildly  clattering 

Of  the  prancing  chariot  horses  : — 
But  plungings,  plungings  were  in  vain, 
To  drag  these  from  the  mire  again. 

A  curse  on  Meroz  for  standing  aloof  from  the  vengeance 
iuh  ich  followed. 

Thus  doth  God's  messei  ger  proclaim; — 
"  Curse  ye  Meroz— curse  the  name, 
Doubly  curse  her  sons  with  shame, 
For  the  dastards  never  came 

To  the  Great  Jehovah's  aid  ; 

Doubly  curse  the  renegade  !  " 

The  capture  and  death  of   Sisera. — His  flight  and 
tragical  fate. 

Above  all  women  praised  be  Jael, 
Heroine  Kenite — Heber's  wife ; 


SONG   OF  DEBORAH.  19 

Bless'd  be  she  above  all  women, 

For  her  bea-'ng  in  the  strife. 
When,  within  the  curtained  harem, 

Water  she  was  asked  to  give, 
Curdled  milkun  lordly  vessel 

Gave  she  to  the  fugitive. 
Sisera,  the  warrior- chieftain, 

Lay  in  slumber  deep  and  sound ; 
With  her  hand  the  wooden  tent-peg 

Wrenched  she  from  the  yielding  ground. 
With  the  blow  of  workman's  hammer 

She  the  prostrate  victim  slew, 
And  with  this  inglorious  weapon 

Clave  his  temples  through  and  through. 


At  her  feet  he  bowed,  he  lay ; 
At  her  feet  he  bowed,  he  fell : 
Fell — the  hero  of  the  fray 
Deemed  so  late  invincible  ! 


20  SONG   OF   DEBORAH. 

The  exi'ECTEd  eooty. — Sisera* s  mother  and  her  maidens 

watch  the  return  of  the  conqueror. 

The  mother  of  Sisera, 

Proud-hearted  Queen, 

Went  to  the  lattice, 

A  chieftain  in  mien  : 

From  the  window  she  cried, 

"  Why  tarries  his  car  ? 

What  hinders  his  bringing 

The  trophies  of  war  ? 
Impatient  we  look  for  the  wreath  on  his  brow, 
Why  tany  the  wheels  of  his  chariot  now  ?  " 

The  princesses  answer, 
She  also  replies, 
"  They  only  thus  tarry 
To  portion  the  prize  : 
One  damsel — two  damsels — 
Each  hero  will  share, 
And  bright  divers  colours 
Shall  Sisera  wear — 


SONG   OF  DEBORAH.  21 

Rich  varments,  embroidered 
And  varied  in  hue, 
The  ornaments  stripped 
From  the  foemen  he  slew." 

Close  of  the  song. — Imprecation  and ilessing. 

So  perish   Thine    enemies,    Lord,    I  implore 

Thee  \ 
Perish  all  those  to  Thy  glory  defiant : 
But  let  Thine  own  people,  who  love  and  adore 

Thee, 
Be  like  to  the  sun  going  forth  as  a  giant  * 


&fje  JFtrat  Sltibent 


"  77/*  Spirit  of  the  Lord  God  is  upon  me;  because  the 
Lord  hath  anointed  me  to  preach  good  tidings  unto 
tJie  meek ;  He  hath  sent  me  to  b  nd  up  the  broken- 
hearted, to  proclaim  liberty  to  the  captives,  and  the 
opening  of  the  prison  to  them  that  are  bound  ;  to  pro- 
claim the  acceptable  year  of  the  Lord,  and  the  day  of 
vengeance  of  our  God ;  to  comfort  all that  motirn  ;  to 
appoint  uiito  ihem  that  mourn  in  Zion,  to  give  unto 
them  beauty  for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning, 
the  garment  of  praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness." — 
Isa.  lxi.  i,  2,  3. 


He  comes  !  in  meek  and  lowly  human  form, 
Unheralded  by  dazzling  pomp  and  noise, 
Not  in  the  "  fire,  the  earthquake,  or  the  storm, n 
But  with  the  accents  of  "  the  still  small  voice." 

He  comes  !  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  poor, 
Franchise  the  slave,  and  break  the  bondsman's 

chain, 
To  wrench  the  bars  from  off  the  dungeon-door, 
And  set  the  pining  captive  free  again. 


THE   FIRST   ADVENT.  23 

He  comes  !  the  Messenger  to  broken  hearts  ; 
Affliction  of  its  poignant  sting  disarms  ; 
"  To  him  that  hath  no  helper  "  help  imparts  ; 
The  little  child  smiles  fearless  in  His  arms. 

He  comes  !   to  give  the  groping   blind   their 

sight, 
To  wipe  the  tear  from  off  the  mourner's  eye, 
To  cheer  the  orphan's  darkened   home   with 

light, 

And  soothe  the  widow  in  her  agony. 

He  comes  !  to  rescue  from  the  guilt  of  sin, 
And  from  its  tyrant  power  to  grant  release  ; 
To  hush  the  rage  of  demon  storms  within, 
And  leave  His  own  best  legacy  of  "  Peace." 

He  comes  !  to  stop  the  roll  of  conquering  drum, 
Unyoke  the  steeds  from  Battle's  iron  car, 
To  strike  the  fevered  lips  of  cannon  dumb, 
And  hang  in  silent  halls  the  trump  of  wTar. 


24  THE    FIRST   ADVENT. 

He  conies  !  0  Earth  give  welcome  to  His  voice ! 
He  comes  !    Thy  tribes  to  pay  Him   homage 

rise ! 
He  comes  !  to  make  thine  arid  wastes  rejoice, 
And  blossom  like  a  second  Paradise. 


W&t  £itp_  of  tf)c  Crgstal  Sea," 


"  I  saw  the  holy  city,  New  Jerusalem." — Rev.  xxi.  2. 

u  And  lie  showed  me  a  pure  river  of  the  water  of  life, 
clear  as  crystal,  proceeding  out  of  the  Throne  of  God 
and  of  the  Lamb.  In  the  midst  of  the  street  of  it" 
&C. — Rev.  xxii.  1,  2. 


"  Come,  father,  mother,  Elsie  dear,  I  like  you 

near  me  now, 
For  I  feel  the  icy  finger  laid  already  on  my 

brow  ; 
Come  near  and  sit  beside  me,  as  my  strength 

is  failing  fast ; 
Could  I  only  take  you  with  me,  then  Death's 

anguish  would  be  past ; 
My  Saviour- God  is  calling  me — I  know  it  is 

His  voice, 
For  you  I  grieve,  but  for  myself  I  only  can 

rejoice  : 


26  CITY    OF    THE    CRYSTAL    SEA. 

Oh,  do  not  weep — for  short  the  time  our  parting 
is  to  be  : 

We  shall  meet  in  the  City  of  the 
Crystal  Sea. 

"I  hoped  to  live  for  longer  years,  and  even 

now  I  seem 
At  times  to   think  this   death-bed  is  but  a 

passing  dream  : 
I  gladly  would  have  lengthened  out  my  child- 
hood's sunny  years, 
I  never  liked  to  hear  this  earth  miscalled  a 

Vale  of  Tears. 
As  winte>  came   and  winter   went,    I    never 

seemed  to  tire, 
As  merrily  our  voices  rang  around  the  parlour 

fire ; 
But  round  that  winter  hearth  now,  a  vacant 

seat  must  be  ; 

For  I'm  going  to  the  City  of  the 
Crystal  Sea. 


CITY  OF    THE   CRYSTAL    SEA.  27 


"  I  had  hoped  that,  as  in  years  gone  by,  so 

still  would  I  have  been 
A  happy  joyous  playmate  upon   the   village 

green  : 
I   had   hoped   to   go   in  spring-time  with  my 

basket  and  my  hood, 
To  search  for  yellow  primroses  with  Elsie  in 

the  wood. 
Yes,  when  spring  and  early  summer  came,  to 

pluck  the  hawthorn  spray, 
And  roam  o'er  banks  of  wild  flowers  through- 
out the  livelong  day  : 
To  listen  to  the  singing  birds  and  humming  of 

the  bee ; 

Far  distant  seemed  the  City  of  the 
Crystal  Sea. 

"  It  was  this  day,  three  months  ago,  I  spoke  of 

Christmas  time, 
When  the  bells  above  the  snow-wreaths  would 

ring  their  merry  chime, 


28  CITY  OF    THE   CRYSTAL    SEA. 

How  busy  then  I  thought,  would  my  fingers 

now  have  been, 
In  decking  porch  and  lych-gate  in  their  drapery 

of  green  ; 
In  decking  all  the  church  too,  till  the  short 

day's  sunshine  fails, 
The  pillars  and  the  lectern  and  the  pulpit's 

oaken  rails ; 
But  other  and  far  better  things,  are  in  reserve 

for  rue, 

"When  I  enter  God's  own  City  of 
the  Crystal  Sea, 

u  I  had  wished,  I  own,  to  serve  Him  some  time 

longer  here  below, 
And  on  little  kindly  errands  now  and  then  to 

come  and  go ; 
I  had  purposed,  on  next  new  year's  day,  to 

walk  to  Poynder's  mill 
"Witli  the  book-stand  and  the  flower-glass  for 

Mabel's  window-sill, 


CITY  OF    THE    CRYSTAL    SEA.  29 


The  cushion  and  the  pillows  I  was  working  for 

her  chair, 
A  bunch  of  holly  berries,   and  my  plant  of 

maiden  hair ; 
You  can  take  her  still  these  little  things  as 
keepsakes  sent  by  me, 

When  I've  left  you  for  the  City  of 
the  Crystal  Sea. 

"Oh  !  often  have  I  thought,  too,  when  not  so 

strong  as  now, 
When  age  would  overtake  you  with  wrinkles 

on  your  brow, 
How  happy  it  would  make  me  to  help  you, 

parents  dear, 
And  do  the  little  best  I  could  your  closing 

days  to  cheer ; 
How  nice  for  me  and  Elsie,  in  our  turn  to  sit 

at  night, 
To  smooth  your  ruffled  pillows,  and  to  watch 

you  till  daylight ; 


30  CITY   OF    THE    CRYSTAL   SEA. 


I  had  hoped  to  pay  you  back  again  for  all 
you've  been  to  me  ; 

But  we'll  meet  in  the  City  of  the 
Crystal  Sea. 

""When  you  come  to  visit  the  spot,  mother, 

where  I  shall  silent  lie, 
The  thought  may  sometimes  startle  you,  '  How 

came  she  thus  to  die  ? 
Why  were  the  angels  sent  so  soon  to  bear  her 

far  away, 
Why   did  the  sun  of  life  go  down  while  yet 

'twas  early  day  ? ' 
Oh,    trust    God's    love    and    wisdom,    which 

though  often  now  concealed, 
Will  one  day  in  His  own  bright  world  come  all 

to  be  revealed  ; 
Yes,  all  that  now  is  dark  to  us,  we  then  shall 

clearly  see, 

In  the  light  of  the   City  of  the 
Crystal  Sea. 


CITY  OF    THE    CRYSTAL    SEA.  31 

11  When  first  upon  a  couch  of  pain  my  throb- 
bing head  was  laid, 

That  God  might  raise  me  up  again,  how  fer- 
vently I  prayed  ; 

But  He,  perhaps,  foresaw  too  well  the  briar  and 
the  thorn, 

Which  might,  like  other  wand'ring  sheep,  my 
straying  feet  have  torn  ; 

Too  surely  would  His  wisdom  know,  that  with 
a  longer  life 

I  might  have  proved  unequal  for  the  battle  and 
the  strife, 

And  therefore  the  unanswered  prayer  was  all 
in  love  to  me, 

So  He  took  me  to  the  City  of  the 
Crystal  Sea. 

"And  when  all  this   is  over,    and  time   has 

onward  rolled  ; 
0  father,  mother,  Elsie,  never  tnmk  of  me  as 

old. 


32  CITY  OF    THE   CRYSTAL    SEA. 

Never  think  of  me   out  as  1  am,  without  an 

earthly  care, 
No  wrinkle  on  my  forehead—  no  white-lock  in 

my  hair ; 
Never  think  of  me  as  dying— never  think  of 

me  as  dead, 
But  think  of  me  only,  as  by  guardian  angels 

led: 
Yes,  think  of  me,  I  pray  you,  as  young  as  now 

I  be, 

A  child  still  in  the  City  of  the 
Crystal  Sea. 

"And  if  at  any  future  time  should  sorrow  be 

in  store, 
Should  poverty  or  sickness  come  across  your 

cottage  door ; 
Accept  of  every  trial  as  God's  messenger  of 

love 
To  raise  your  hearts'  affections  to  my  better 

home  above ; 


CITY   OF    THE    CRYSTAL    SKA. 


33 


A  few  short  years  at  farthest,  and  beyond  this 

scene  of  woe 
We  shall  meet  where  partings  are  unknown, 

and  sorrow  cannot  go  : 
From  all  temptations    '  clean   escaped ' — from 
all  afflictions  free, 

Safe  for  ever  in  the   City  of  the 
Crystal  Sea. 

"Yes,  I'm  going  to  a  region  which  is  ever  fair 

and  bright, 
Where  all  the  blessed  angels  walk  in  fields  of 

golden  light, 
Where  the  cherubim  and  seraphim  surround 

the  Great  I  AM, 
And  the   armies  of    the  ransomed  sing    the 

praises  of  the  Lamb  ; 
Oh,    wondrous  thought !    this    feeble   tongue 

shall  soon  take  up  the  strain, 
And  join  in  'Worthy  is  the  Lamb— the  Lamb 

for  sinners  slain ; ' 


34  CITY  OF    THE    CRYSTAL    SEA. 

My  dearly  loved  Redeemer  in   His  beauty  I " 
shall  see, 

The  glory   of    the   City  of    the 
Crystal  Sea. 

"Come  nearer,  come  yet  nearer,  I   like   you 

near  me  now, 
For  I  feel  Death's  icy  finger  still  colder  on  my 

brow ; 
The  Angels  are  all  standing  round,  I  hear  my 

Saviour's  voice, 
The  Gates  of  glory  stand  ajar,  I  cannot  but 

rejoice. 
My  eye-sight  fast  is  dimming — the  lengthening 

shadows  fall, 
I  dare  not  longer  tarry  and  resist  the  Master's 

call ; 
Farewell ! — I  may'nt  return  to  you  :  but  you 

can  come  to  me  " 

§he  entered  then  the  City  of  the 
Crystal  Sea. 


Nature's  $?umn. 


"Let  everything  that  hath  breath  praise  the  Lord" 
—Psalm  cl.  6. 


Praise  Him,  0  praise   Him,  ye  ministering 

Seraphim  ! 
Praise  ye  Jehovah  enthroned  on  high  : 
Awake  every  harp,  ye  archangels,  and  tell  of 

Him 
Shrouded  in  glory,  yet  graciously  nigh. 

Praise   Him,  "bright  Sun,  in  the  glow  of  thy 

splendour  ; 
Praise  Him,  thou  Moon,  silver  queen  of  the 

night ; 
Ye  Stars,  who  like  virgin  retainers  attend  her, 
O  praise  the  Great  Lord  who  hath  robed  you 

with  light ! 


36  NATURES   HYMN. 

Praise   Him,    O   praise  Him,  ye   soft  flowing 

fountains, 
Amid  the  lone  valleys  go  murmur  your  song ; 
Uplift  the  loud  anthem,   ye    thunder-voiced 

mountains, 
Let  peak  answer  peak  and  re-echo  the  song ! 

Ye  forests — ye  need  no  cathedral  of  marble, 
No  Thurifer's  censer  to  perfume  your  shrine  ; 
Your  own  winged  choirs  will  His  praises  best 

warble, 
Your  woodland  flowers  scatter  sweet  incense 

divine  ! 

Praise  Him,  ye  mists  which  on  mountain-tops 

hoary, 
Like  white  wings  of  cherub  the  rock -clefts 

enfold ; 
Praise  Him,  ye  sunset- clouds,   piled  in  your 

glory, 
Resplendent  with  amber,  vermilion,  and  gold. 


nature's  HYMN.  37 


Praise  Him,  O  praise  Him,  ye  deeps  with  your 

wonders, 
Discourse  of  His  glory  to  earth's  farthest  shore ; 
In  lullaby  ripples,  in  hoarse-booming  thunders, 
In   stillness  and  storm,  lend  your  voice  and 

adore  ! 

All  Nature  arise  !  the  great  anthem  intoning; 
And  from  your  vast  storehouse  a   tribute-lay 

bring  : 
No  voice  can  be  silent,  let  all  join  in  owning 
Jehovah  as  Maker,  Redeemer,  and  King  1 


Sennacijerik 

(Arranged for  an  Oratorio.)* 

PART   I.— OVERTURE. 

Mustering  of  the  distant  nations  like  tJu  waves  of  the 
sea. —  Isa.  v.  30. 

Scene. — Tcmjile-gate  of  Jerusalem. 

The  Prophet  Isaiah  (Recti). 

u  Behold  the  Lord  bringeth  up  upon  them 
The  waters  of  the  river,  strong  and  many, 
Even  the  King  of  Assyria  and  all  his  glory  : 
And  he  shall  come  up  over  all  his  channels, 

*  In  order  to  explain  the  peculiarity  of  what  may  be 
called  the  dramatic  treatment,  the  author  thinks  it  well  to 
state,  that  he  had  this  musical  arrangement  in  view  in  the 
composition  of  what  follows  ;  and  that  in  cue  time,  and  in 
competent  hands,  it  will  receive  such  rendering.  It  has 
often  been  to  him  a  matter  of  wonder,  that  the  master 
"Tone-poets"  in  Germany  and  England  have  hitherto 
omitted  to  include  in  their  great  works,  a  portion  of  sacred 


SENNACHFRIB. 


39 


And  go  over  all  his  banks  : 

And  lie  shall  pass  through  Jiulah  ; 

lie  shall  overflow  and  go  over. 

And  in  that  day  they  shall  roar  against  them 

like  the  roaring  of  the  sea  ; 
And  if  one  look  unto  the  land, 
Behold  darkness  and  sorrow, 
And   the    light  is   darkened   in   the   heavens 

thereof."— Isa.  viii.  7,  8 ;  v.  30. 

Scene.— Palace  at  Nineveh — Chorus  in  Cedar 
Hall,  in  presence  of  Sennacherib. 

1st  Chorus. 

Sound,  mighty  King,  the  trump  of  war  ! 
Prepare  the  bowstrings,  yoke  the  steeds ; 

story  which  is  unsurpassed,  or  rather  unequalled,  in  variety 
of  interest;  combining  as  it  does  so  remarkably,  the  epic 
and  elegaic.  It  may  be  added  that,  for  the  above  reason, 
he  has  deemed  it  better  not  to  give  the  pis-ages  put  into 
the  lips  of  the  principal  personage  (Isaiah)  "rhytimical 
uniformity  ;"  he  has  preferred  retaining  for  the  purpose  of 
recit,  the  varied  and  irregular  structure  in  our  authorised 
English  version. 


40  SENNA  CHER  IB, 


They  smell  the  battle  from  afar, 
Impatient  for  gigantic  deeds. 

2nd  Chorus. 
Arise,    valiant   Warrior  !      Thou   "  Cedar    of 

cedars," 
The  favoured  of  heaven  over  millions  to  reign; 
Great  Hero  of  heroes!  great  Leader  of  leaders; 
Add  Zion  and  Rahab  to  the  heaps  of  thy  slain. 

Queen  of  Sennacherib. 
Descendant  of  the  mighty  Nimrod, 
Winged  Lion — Eagle  King  ! 
Thy  royal  spouse  already  counteth 
Up  the  trophies  thou  shalt  bring. 

Two  Princesses. 
Broidered  garment — golden  tassel, 
Rarest  hues  of  Tyrian  dye  : — 

Double  Chorus. 
Go  !  make  Hebrew  cowards  vassal, 
And  their  boasted  God  defy  ! 


SENNACHERIB.  41 

SCENE. — Temple  of  Nisroch — Sennacherib 
offers  sacrifices. 

Sennacherib. 

Hear  me  !  Eagle-headed  Nisroch 

Take  the  lily  and  pomegranate 

As  the  pledge  of  mighty  conquests, 

Like  to  those  my  hero-father  * 

Gained  before  the  walls  of  Ashdod. 

Thou  dost  know  my  glory  : — Are  not 

Altogether  kings  my  princes  ? 

Is  not  Calno  as  Carchemish  ? 

Is  not  Hamath  too  as  A  rphad  ? 

And  Samaria  as  Damascus  ? 

As  I  did  unto  their  idols 

So,  by  lily  and  pomegranate, 

So,  by  winged  bull  and  lion, 

Shall  I  do  to  haughty  Zion.t 

Priestess  of  Temple, 
Go,  mighty  King,  undaunted  on  ; 
Fear  not  to  pass  the  Lebanon  ; 


*  Sa-gon.  t  Isa.  x.  7-11. 


42  SENNA  CHER  IB. 

Thy  chariots  and  thy  men  of  might 
Shall  climb  its  loftiest  mountain-height. 
Before  thee  shall  its  cedars  fall, 
Before  thee  bend  its  fir-trees  tall. 
Thou  shalt  return  in  glittering  car 
Triumphant  with  the  spoils  of  Avar, 
With  spears  and  shields  of  mighty  men 
As  votive  offerings  to  this  Fane  ; 
And  on  its  walls  we  shall  inscribe 
Fresh  glories  of  Sennacherib  ! 

SCENE. — Front  of  Nineveh  Palace.  (Trumpets 
sounding. )  Military  march  on  departure 
of  the  Assyrian  army. 

Chorus. 
Ye   quarries    of    Ashur !    prepare    your    best 

marble, 
Ye  sculptors,  make  ready  your  tools  for  the 

story  ; 
Each  hall  of  the   Palace,  each  frieze   of   the 

Temple, 
Shall  have  for  all  ages  new  legends  of  glory  ! 


SENNACHERIB,  43 

PART  II.— Symphony. 

Messengers  0/ evil  tidings  speeding  in  haste  from  various 
quarters. 

Scene. — Temple-gate  at  Jerusalem:  Hezekiah 
co n tin fj  from  the  Evening  Sacrifice. 

Chorus. — list  Band. 
Noblest  of  the  Kings  of  Judah  ! 
To  thy  feet  we  hasten  bending  ; 
Heavy  tidings  have  we  brought  thee, 
Nought  but  gloomy  woe  impending  ! 

Full  Chorus. 
Asshur  with  his  myriad  host 
Fast  advances  !     We  are  lost ! 

2nd  Band, 
Comes  he  like  the  eagle  soaring, 
Like  the  rush  of  mighty  river, 
Like  the  wild  beasts  savage  roaring,* 
Who  is  able  to  deliver  ? 

*  Isa.  v.  29,  30. 


4  4  SENNA  CHER  IB. 


Full  Chorus. 
Asslmr  with  his  myriad  host 
Fast  advances  !     "We  are  lost ! 

3rd  Band. 
Already  is  he  come  to  Aiath  ; 
He  has  passed  the  heights  of  Migron  ; 
Baggage-tents  are  pitched  at  Michmas\ 
Waggons  have  gone  o'er  the  passage  ; 
They  have  lodged  the  night  at  Geba, 
Ramah  is  aghast  with  terror ; 
Gibeah  of  Saul  is  fleeing  ; 
Lift  thy  voice,  0  Gallim's  daughter, 
Cause  it  to  be  heard  to  Laish. 
Anathoth,  alas  ! — Madmenah  I 
Flee,  ye  villagers  of  Gebim  ; 
One  day  only  Nob  will  stay  him, 
Then  his  hand  shall  shake  with  terr<- 1 
'Gainst  the  Mount  of  Zion's  daughter ; 
Day  of  vengeance  !  day  of  slaughter  !  * 

*  Isa.  x.  28-32. 


SENNACHERIB.  45 


Full  Chorus. 
Asshur  with  his  myriad  host 
Fast  advances  !     We  are  lost. 

Fresh  messengers  arrive,  hearing  the  ivail  of  surrounding 
nations  at  the  approach  0/ the  Conqueror. 

A  Shetkh  of  Moab.  A  Fugitive  from  plun- 
dered Dedan.  A  Warrior  of  Philistia. 
A  Prince  of  Tyre.  An  Arab  of  Dlmah. 
A  Shepherd  of  Kedar. 

The  Lion  of  Asslmr  has  pounced  on  his  prey,* 
Each  heart  in  its  terror  has  melted  away. 
The  pastures  of  Moab  lie  waste  with  the  foe, 
AndDedan  has  fled  from  his  sword  and  hisbow.f 
Philistia  trembles  while  gazing  afar 
On  the  column  of  smoke  and  the  red  gleam  of 

war.t 
The  Princes  of  Tyre  stand  aghast  at  the  sight, 
The  Watchmen  of  Dumah  despair  of  the  night. § 
The  Shepherds  of  Kedar  with  wailing  behold 

*  I.»a.  v.  29.  f  Tsi.  xxi    13-15.  \  Isa  xiv.  31. 

§  Isa.  x.\i.  11,  12. 


j6  SENNACHERIB. 


No  tents  on  its  desert — no  flock  in  its  fo  d.* 
For  Asslmr's  proud  Lion  has  pounced  on  his 

prey, 
Each  heart  in  its  terror  has  melted  away  ! 

Isaiah's  Wife  {herself  a  Prophetess). 
In  my  son  behold  the  sign, 
u  Hasten  booty,  spoiling  speed  :  f 
Yet,  oh  trust  the  power  divine, 
He  will  save  in  time  of  need  ! 

Weeping  may  the  night  endure, 
But  there  cometh  joy  at  morn, 
Zion  !  trust  the  promise  sure, 
Thou  wilt  ne'er  be  left  forlorn. 
Isaiah  is  seen  approaching, 

Arab  of  Dumah. 
u Watchman,  what  of  the  night?   Watchman, 
what  of  the  night? "J 

*  Isa.  x\i.  16,  17. 

t  Translation  of  the  name  of  Isaiah's  so  1,  Maher-shalal- 
hash-baz. — l>a.  viii.  1.  %  Isa.  xxi.  11. 


SENNACHERIB.  47 


Isaiah. 
"  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God  of  Hosts, 
0  my  people  that  dwellest  in  Zion,  he  not  afraid 

of  the  Assyrian  : 
He  shall  smite  thee  with  a  rod, 
And  shall  lift  up  his  staff  against  thee  after  the 

manner  of  Egypt. 
The  Lord  of  Hosts  shall  stir  up  a  scourge  for  him, 
According  to  the  slaughter  of  Midian  at  the 

rock  of  Oreh  : 
And  as  his  rod  was  upon  the  sea, 
So   shall  he   lift  it  up  after   the   manner   of 

Egypt."— Isa.  x.  24-26. 

Arab  of  Dumah. 
"Watchman,  what  of  the  night?    Watchman, 
what  of  the  night  ? " 

Isaiah. 
"  Behold,  the  Lord,  the  Lord  of  Hosts, 
Shall  lop  the  bough  with  terror  : 


48  SENNACHERIB. 


And  the  high  ones  of  stature  shall  "be  hewn 

down, 
And  the  haughty  shall  be  humbled. 
And  he  shall  cut  down  the   thickets  of  the 

forest  with  iron, 
And  Lebanon  shall  fall  by  a  mighty  one." 

— Isa.  x.  33,  34. 

Arab  of  Dumah. 
"Watchman,  what  of  the  night  ?    Watchman, 
what  of  the  night  ? " 

Isaiah. 

"Woe  to  the  multitude  of  many  people, 

Which  make  a  noise  like  the  noise  of  the  seas. 

The  nations  shall  rush  like  the  rushing  of  many 
waters  : 

But  God  shall  rebuke  them,  and  they  shall  flee 
afar  off, 

And  shall  be  chased  as  the  chaff  of  the  moun- 
tains before  the  wind, 

And  like  a  rolling  tnmg  before  the  whirl  vvid<L 


SENNACHERIB.  49 


And  behold  at  eventide  trouble  ; 
And  before  the  morning  he  is  not. 
This  is  the  portion  of  them  that  spoil  us, 
And  the  lot  of  them  that  rob  us.:: 

— Isa.  xvii.  12-14. 

Full  Chorus. 
"  The  light  of  Israel  shall  be  for  a  fire, 
And  His  Holy  One  for  a  flame  : 
And  it  shall  burn  and  devour  his  thorns 
And  his  briers  in  one  day." — Isa.  x.  17. 


PART  III.— Symphony. 

Wailhg  over  Hezekiatis  wavering  policy,  and  itnwoi  thy 
submission  in  the  paym  nt  of  tJie  tribute  exacted  by 
Sennac/ierib.  * 

Scene.— 

Temple-Court.     A  Chorus  of  faithful  Jews. 

Chorus. 

Alas  !  for  this  day  of  fate, 
Pillage  and  plunder  ! 

*  2  Kings  xviii.  14-16. 

D 


50  SENNA  CHERIB. 

Brazen  and  cedar-gate 
Torn  both  in  sunder. 

Is  it  gold  we  rely  on 
To  stay  the  invader? 
Alas  !  has  our  Zion 
No  strong  God  to  aid  her  ? 

Aria  (a  Jewish  maiden,  daughter  of  the 
High  Priest). 
Shame  upon  the  name  of  regal, 
That  would  purchase  peace  with  gold ; 
Bribing  swoop  of  Asshur's  eagle 
Down  afresh  on  Zion's  fold  ! 

Israel's  virgins  saved  from  slaughter, 
Captive  pine  on  foreign  shore ; 
And  shall  also  Judah's  daughter, 
Exiled  see  her  home  no  more  ? 

Isaiah  utters  a  icoe  for  going  to  Egypt  for 

help. 

"  Woe  to  them  that  go  down  to  Egypt  for  help  ; 


SENNACHERIB.  5 1 

And  stay  on  horses, 

And  trust  in  chariots  because  they  are  main  ; 

And    on    horsemen    because    they    are    very 

strong ; 
But  they  look  not  to  the  Holy  One  of  Israel, 
Neither  seek  the  Lord  !  " 
"  Therefore  shall  the  strength  of  Pharaoh  be 

your  shame, 
And  the  trust  in  the  shadow  of   Egypt  your 

confusion. 
Look  away  from  me,  I  will  weep  bitterly  ; 
Labour  not  to  comfort  me,  because  of  the  spoil- 
ing of  the  daughter  of  my  people. 
For  it  is  a  day  of  trouble,  and  of  treading  down, 

and  of  perplexity, 
By  the  Lord  God  of  Hosts  in  the  valley  of 

vision, 
Breaking  down  the  walls  and  of  crying  to  the 

mountains." 

— Isa.  xxxi.  1  ;  xxx.  3 ;  xxii.  4,  5. 


$  2  SENNA  CHER  IB. 


Scene. — Great  Square  before  the  City  Gate. 

[Hczekiah,  just  come  from  the  Temple,  in  the  midst 
of  his  officers,  nobles,   and  guards,  announces 

the  change  in  his  unworthy  policy.'] 

Hezekiah. 
Nobles,  princes,  mighty  men  ! 
Let  ns  be  ourselves  again  : 
Coward  deeds  I  now  deplore, 
Faithless  let  us  be  no  more. 

Sound  the  trumpet,  bare  the  sword, 
In  the  name  of  God  the  Lord  ; 
Furbish  helmet,  spear,  and  shield, 
Proud  to  die  but  not  to  yield. 

Be  courageous  and  be  strong, 
Fear  not  Asshur's  martial  throng; 
Though  he  boast  of  squadrons  grim, 
There  are  more  with  us  than  him. 


SENNACHERIB. 


53 


Arm  of  flesh  is  his  alone, 
But  Jehovah's  help  we  own ; 
Victory  to  Him  ascribe, 
Mightier  than  Sennacherib  !  * 

[And  the  people  rested  themselves  on 
the  words  of  Hezekiah  King  of 
Judah.]  t 

Shout  of  the  assembled  soldiers  and  people. 

Full  Chorus. 
Hezekiah  !  live  for  ever  ! 
Stoop  to  base  surrender  never  ! 
God,  our  God  will  yet  deliver  ! 

[Iiabshakeh,  the  great  cup-leaver,  along  with  Tartan 
and  Babsaris,  under  the  walls  of  Jerusalem, 
addressing  Eliakim,  Shebna,  and  Joaft,  make  a 
demand  of  unconditional  surrender.]^ 

*  2  Chron.  xxxii.  7,  8.  t  2  Chron.  xxxii.  8. 

J  I  a.  xxxvi.  4-21. 


54  SENNACHERIB. 

Kabshakeh. 

Thus  saith  the    Great    King,    the    King    of 

Assyria, 
What    confidence    is    it    wherein    thou    dost 

stay? 
Thou  lean'st  on  the  staff  of  this  broken  reed 

Egypt, 
Which,  while  thou  art  trusting,  will  crumble 

away. 

Permit  not,  ye  minions,  your  King  to  deceive 
you: 

As  if  the  Jehovah  he  bids  you  to  trust, 

Could  cope  with  the  power  of  the  mighty  Sen- 
nacherib, 

And  save  your  proud  walls  being  laid  in  the 
dust. 

Where  are  the  idols  of  Hamath  and  Arphad  ? 
The  gods  who  have  fought  to  deliver  their 
land, 


SENNACHERIB.  55 


Of  Hena  and  Ivah,  and  far  Sepharvaim, 
And   able   the  gleam   of  our  swords  to  with- 
stand ? 

Go,  tell  Hezekiah,  if  he  fail  to  surrender 
liis  tribute  of  silver  and  talents  of  gold  ; 
Then  doomed  is  your  Salem  :   no  power  will 

defend  her 
From  reaping  a  harvest  of  vengeance  untold  !  * 

Eliakim  {aside). 
Let  us  hear  the  taunt  in  silence,  f 

Shebna  and  Jo  ah. 
From  our  trust  no  taunts  shall  bend  us, 
No  such  evils  can  portend  us, 
Great  Jehovah  will  defend  us  ! 

Kabshakeh  [in  a  rage). 
Dogs  !  no  more  shall  I  entreat  you 
To  evade  the  vengeful  flood  : 

*  Isa.  xxxvi.  4,  18,  19,  20.  t  Isa.  xxxvi.  21. 


56  SENNACHERIB. 

Now  I  go  : — but  next  to  meet  you 
With  your  garments  rolled  in  blood  ! 

[Eabshakeh  leaves  for  the  camp  at  Lachish.] 


PART  I V.— Symphony  and  Chorus. 


The  Lord  is  in  His  Holy  Temple.     Let  all  the  earth  keep 
silence  before  Him. — Hab.  ii.  20. 


Scene. — Temple  of  Jerusalem.  Holy  of  Holies. 
King  Hezekiah  spreading  out,  before  the 
Divine  Presence,  the  railing  letter  of  Sen- 
nacherib. * 

Hezekiah. 

O  God  of  Israel,  Lord  of  Hosts, 
Between  the  cherubim  who  dwells, 
Thou  art  the  God,  even  Thou  alone, 
Thy  glory  all  the  earth  excels. 

*  Isa.  xxxvii.  14. 


SENNACHERIB.  57 


Incline  Thine  ear,  0  Lord,  and  hear, 
Open  Thine  eyes,  0  Lord,  and  see ; 
Hear  all  the  words  Sennacherib 
Hath  uttered  in  reproaching  Thee. 

In  truth,  0  Lord,  hath  Asshur's  Kings 
Laid  waste  the  nations  and  their  lands ; 
Their  gods  into  the  fire  have  cast, 
Dumb  idols  made  by  mortal  hands. 

But  now,  0  Lord  onr  God,  us  save, 
Let  Thine  Almighty  power  be  shown  ; 
That  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth 
May  know  that  Thou  art  God  alone  !  * 

[Choir  in  the  Temple,  as  Hezeiciah  comes 
forth  from  the  Most  Holy  Place.] 

Chorus. 
"Let  the  sighing  of  the  prisoner  come  before 
Thee  :  according  to  the  greatness  of  Thy  power 

*  I^a.  xxxvii    15-20. 


58  SENNACHERIB, 

preserve  Thou  those  that  are  appointed  to  die." 
— Ps.  Lxxix.  11. 

Aria  and  other  Jewish  maidens. 
"They  that  trust  in  the  Lord  shall  be  as 
Mount  Zion,  which  cannot   be   removed,  but 
abideth  for  ever." — Ps.  cxxv.  1. 

Answer  sent  by  Isaiah  to  Hezeldah. 

Isaiah. 

u  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  Whereas 
thou  has  prayed  to  me  against  Senna- 
cherib king  of  Assyria  :  this  is  the  word 
which  the  Lord  hath  spoken  concerning 
him. 

Whom  hast  thou  reproached  and  blas- 
phemed ? 

And  against  whom  hast  thou  exalted  thy 
voice, 

And  lifted  up  thine  eyes  on  high  ?  even  against 
the  Holy  One  of  Israel. 


SENNACHERIB. 


59 


By  thy  servants  hast  thou  reproached  the  Lord, 

and  hast  said, 
By  the  multitude  of  my  chariots  am  I  come 

up 
To  the  height  of  the  mountains,  to  the  sides  of 

Lebanon  ; 
And  I  will  cut  down  the  tall  cedars  thereof, 

and  the  choice  fir  trees  thereof  : 
And  I  will  enter  into  the  height  of  his  border, 

and  the  forest  of  his  Carmel. 
Because  thy  rage  against  me,  and  thy  tumult, 

is  come  up  into  mine  ears, 
Therefore  will  I  put  my  hook  in  thy  nose,  and 

my  bridle  in  thy  lips, 
And  I  will  turn  thee  back  by  the  way  by  which 

thou  earnest. 
For  I  will  defend  this  city  to  save  it 
For  mine  own  sake,  and  for  my  servant  David's 

sake." 

— Isa.  xxxvii.  21-24,  29,  35. 


60  SENNA  CHE  RIB. 

Scene. — Morning  Camp  at  Lachish—the  de- 
struction of  the  army  of  Sennacherib.  * 

Sennacherib. 
Oh,  horror  of  horrors  !  how  ghastly  the  story, 
Which  the  dawn  of  the  morning  reveals  to  my 

sight ! 
The  eagle  that  soared  upon  pinions  of  glory, 
Lies  dashed  on  the  ground  in  the  pride  of  his 

flight ! 

My  warriors  have  perished :  0  direful  awaking ! 
Ye  women  of  Asshur  prepare  your  loud  wail  : 
They  are  hushed  in  a  slumber  which  knows  no 

awaking, 
Scarce  left  is  a  handful  to  tell  the  sad  tale  ! 

Both   rider  and   steed  in    dread    silence    are 

blended  ; 
No  horse  for  the  chariot,  no  hand  for  the  sword; 

*  Isa.  xxx  vii.  36. 


SENNACHERIB.  6 1 

For  the  angel  of  death  has  at  midnight  de- 
scended, 

And  stilled  every  pulse  with  the  breath  of  the 
Lord  ! 

Like  the  wing'd  bull  of  Nisroch,  (they  were  not 
words  idle, 

Which  the  Seer  of  Jehovah  had  dared  to  pro- 
claim), 

"With  a  hook  in  his  nostril — his  lip  in  a  bridle, 

Led  back  he  shall  be  by  the  way  that  he 
came."  * 

Oh,  horror  of  horrors  !  how  ghastly  the  story  ! 
My  warriors  unconquered,  unfallen  in  fight ; 
But  the   blast  of  the  tempest  has  blown  on 
their  glory  ! 

Let  the  trumpets  be  sounded,  and  prepare  for 
the  flight. 
[Blast  of  trumpets  dying  in  the  distance.] 

*  Isa.  xxxvii.  29. 


62  SEWXA  CHER  IB. 

Scene.  —  Temple.  Hezekiah,  with  Princes , 
Nobles,  and  Soldiers,  oidside  the  gate, 
gone  to  render  thanks  for  deliverance, 

{Symphony  of  Praise.) 

Hezekiah. 
"I  shall  not  die  but  live,  and  declare  the 
works  of  the  Lord.     Open  to  me  the  gates  of 
righteousness  :     I  will  go  into  them,  and  I  will 
praise  the  Lord." — Ps.  cxviii.  17-19. 

Chorus  of  Priests  [respond  as  they  open 
the  gate). 

"This  gate  of  the  Lord,   into  which    the 
righteous  shall  enter." — Ps.  cxviii.  20. 

Hezekiah. 
u  I  will  praise  Thee ;  for  Thou  hast  heard 
me,  and  art  become  my  salvation." — Ps.  cxviii. 
21. 


SENNA  CHER  IB.  63 


Aria. 
"The  Lord  is  good  :  a  stronghold  in  the  day 
of  trouble ;  and  He  knoweth  them  that  trust 
in  Him."— Nalium  i.  7. 

Hezekiah  inside  the  Temple,  surrounded  with 
Priests  and  Choristers* 

1st  Band  of  Choristers. 
God  shall  our  strength  and  refuge  be, 
A  very  present  help  is  He ; 
And  therefore  never  fear  shall  we, 
Although  the  earth  removed  be, 
And  hills  be  cast  in  midst  of  sea ; 
Though  waters  thereof  troubled  be, 
And  mountains  shake  tumultuously. 

Full  Chorus, 
The  Lord  on  high  is  mightier  far 
Than  noise  of  many  waters  are  ; 

*  The  46th  and  76th  Psalms  are  here  incorporated  and 
paraphrased  ; — the  two  "  Epinikia  "  or  Hymns  of  Triumph, 
known,  without  doubt,  to  have  been  c  mposed  specially 
for  this  occasion  of  national  thanksgiving. 


64  SENNA  CHER  IB. 


Some  put  trust  in  bow  and  quiver, 
Lord  of  Hosts,  be  ours  for  ever ! 

2nd  Band  of  Choristers. 
Come,  and  behold  the  works  of  God, 
What  desolations  are  abroad  : 
His  wondrous  deeds  admire  ! 
Nations,  stand  aghast  with  wonder, 
As  He  breaks  the  spear  in  sunder, 
And  the  chariot  bums  with  fire  ! 

Full  Chorus  [with  refrain). 

God  has  helped  us,  that  right  early, 
"  Helped  us  at  the  dawn  of  morn  : "  * 
Zion  He  doth  love  too  dearly 
To  be  left  the  Gentile's  scorn. 

The  Lord  on  high  is  mightier  far 
Than  noise  of  many  waters  are  ; 
Some  put  trust  in  bow  and  quiver, 
Lord  of  Hosts,  be  ours  for  ever !  f 


*  Literal  rendering.  f  Ps.  xlvi. 


SENNACHERIB.  65 


Both  Bands  of  Choristers  United. 
The  stout  of  heart  and  men  of  deed, 
The  horseman  hold — the  noble  steed, 

Are  hushed  in  slumber  deep  : 
The  winged  bow,  the  burnished  shield, 
Lie  silent  on  the  battle-field, 

No  vigils  now  to  keep  ! 

No  pulses  throb,  no  bosoms  stir 
With  rage  at  their  discomfiture, 

No  tears  are  there  to  weep  : 
We  hear  no  more  the  chariot  rattle, 
The  clash  of  sword,  the  clang  of  battle, 

The  proud  have  slept  their  sleep !  * 

Full  Chorus  (with  trumpets). 
The  Lord  on  high  is  mightier  far 
Than  noise  of  many  waters  are  ; 
Some  put  trust  in  bow  and  quiver, 
Lord  of  Hosts  be  ours  for  ever  ! 

["And  all  the  people  said  AMEH  !  "] 

*Ps.  lxxvi   3l  5,  6. 


66  SENNACHERIB. 

PART  V.— Symphony  (Minor). 

Scene. — The  abodes  of  Hades.  Sennacherib 
enters  the  place  of  departed  spirits.  The 
reception  of  the  new  inmate,  as  described 
by  Isaiah  in  his  magnificent  hymn  (Isa. 
xiv.  9-2.). 

Hell  from  beneath  is  moved  to  meet  thee, 

At  thy  coming,  mighty  monarch  ! 

Sleeping  dead  for  thee  it  stirreth  : 

All  the  chief  ones  of  the  nations. 

All  they  speak,  and  say  unto  thee, 

Art  thou  also  weak  as  we  are  ? 

Art  thou  like  to  one  among  us  ? 

All  thy  pomp  is  brought  to  nothing, 

And  the  music  of  thy  viols  ; 

Noisome  worms,  spread  underneath  thee* 

Give  the  lie  to  all  thy  glory. 

Lucifer  !  how  art  thou  fallen 

To  the  ground,  thou  Son  of  morning ! 

How  the  nations  didst  thou  weaken ! 

For  within  thine  heart  thou  boastedst 


SENNACHERIB.  67 

11 1  will  climb  to  lofty  heaven, 
Above  the  stars  of  God  exalted ; 
O'er  the  height  of  clouds  ascending, 
And  be  equal  with  the  Highest !  " 
Yet  thou  shalt  be  brought  to  Hades, 
Down  to  dwell  in  pit  of  darkness ; 
They  that  see  thee  shall  look  on  thee, 
And  shall  say  as  they  consider; — 
"Is  this  he  who  made  earth  tremble? 
Is  this  he  who  shook  the  kingdoms  ? 
Made  the  world  a  howling  desert, 
And  destroyed  its  mighty  cities, 
Opening  not  his  captives'  prison?" 
All  the  monarchs  of  the  nations, 
Each  one  lieth  in  his  glory, 
Each  one  claims  his  house  of  silence. 
But  like  branch  cut  off  and  worthless, 
Thou  shalt  have  no  grave  to  keep  thee  ; 
Like  a  carcase  trodden  under, 
Never  joined  with  them  in  burial ; 
For  thou  hast  destroyed  the  nations ! 


68  SENNACHERIB. 

Full  Chorus. 

"So  let  all  Thine  enemies  perish,  O  Lord; 
But  let  them  that  love  Him  be  as  the  Sun, 
When  he  goeth  forth  in  his  might." 

— Judges  v.  31. 


&f)c  Btirine  Sobrrriijntg. 


"  T"//^  Lord  reigncth." — Ps.  xciii.  i. 

"  Thy  kingdom  is  an  everlasting  kingdom,  and  Thy  do- 
minion endureth  throughout  all  generations.  The 
Lord  upholdeth  all  that  fall,  arid  raiseth  up  all  those 
that  be  bowed  down." — Ps.  cxlv.  13,  14. 

**  Thy  throne,  O  Cod,  is  for  ever  and  ever :  the  sceptre  of 
Thy  kingdom  is  a  right  sceptre. " — Ps.  xlv.  6. 


I  LOVE  to  think,  Jehovah  on  the  throne 

Of  Universal  Empire  seated  is  : 

In  all  the  regions  of  His  vast  domain, 

Nothing  too  great  to  be  beyond  His  sway, 

Nothing  too  small  to  be  beneath  His  care  ! 

While  it  is  He  who  wheels  in  realms  of  light 

Worlds  upon  worlds  ;  gives  to  the  wandering 

comet 
Its  tortuous  course,  tracking  immensity, 
In  cycles  measuring  a  thousand  years ; 


70  THE    DIVINE  SOVEREIGNTY. 


""lis   He   who    "feeds  the   ravens  when  they 

cry," 
Pencils  the  hue  of  ev'ry  desert  flower  ; 
Its  summer  verdure  upon  ev'ry  blade 
Of  grass  bestows  ;  of  ev'ry  forest  leaf 
The  fall  He  watches  ;  and  of  ev'ry  pulse 
He  marks  the  beat !     The  swarming  myriads 
In  boundless  space  each  movement  owe  to  Him, 
From  the  small  insect  fluttering  in  the  breeze, 
Up  to  the  waving  of  the  Angels'  wing 
Before  the  throne.     Ye  votaries,  who  raise 
Your  altar  to  an  " Unknown  God"  ! — the  God 
Ye  deify  as  Chance  and  Accident, 
And  call  His  will  " inexorable  fate"  : 
There  is  no  chance-work  in  the  oracle 
Of    llighteous   Heaven  !  —  Each   high   behest 

comes  forth 
The  ordination  and  supreme  decree 
Of  Wisdom,  Love,  and  Mercy  infinite. 
The  Parent  mourns  his  child's  untimely  end, 
Snatched  fr  )m  him  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eve  ! 


THE   DIVINE   SOVEREIGNTY.  71 

Was  it  the  lightning-flash  that  struck  him 
down  ? 

Traced  was  the  lightning's  winged  path  by 
God! 

Was  it  the  waves  ingulf d  him  ?  Every  bil- 
low 

Roll'd  at  the  bidding  of  Omnipotence. 

Was  it  disease  that  hurried  him  away  ? 

The  worm  unseen  which  sapp'd  the  treasured 
gourd, 

Was  sent  by  Him.   The  suffering  He  ordain'd — 

Prepared  the  sable  shroud — and  dug  the  grave  ! 

Our  times  are  His  : — His  the  prerogative 

To  do  with  us  and  ours  as  pleaseth  Him ; 

We  could  not  be  in  safer  custody  ! 

And,  better  still,  to  think,  "the  many  crowns 
Are  placed  upon  the  brow  once  wreathed  with 

thorns  : 
The  God-Man  Mediator  rules  on  high." 
Jesus  our  Shepherd  ! — choosing  us  our  pasture, 


72  THE    DIVINE   SOVEREIGNTY. 


Selecting  with  unerring  faithfulness 
For  each  their  earthly  lot ; — Thy  heart  com- 
bines 
The  Might  of  Godhead  with  Humanity 
In  all  its  tenderness.     The  same  who  counts 
The  number  of  the  stars,  can  also  count 
The  number  of  my  sorrows,  for  Thyself 
Hast  felt  them  all !     The  mightiest  of  Beings 
Is  thus  the  kindest.     I  can  upwards  look 
In  trembling  transport  to  Thy  throne,  and  say, 
"God!   yet  my  Brother!     Brother!  yet  my 
God !  " 


£fjc  granting  of  tfjr  jFatfjrt  anb  tfje 
Sttrfj  of  tfjr  protottjal. 


"  And  not  many  days  after,  tJie  younger  son  gathered  all 
together,  and  took  his  journey  into  afar  country,  and 
there  wasted  his  substance  with  riotous  living.  And 
when  he  Jiad  spent  all,  there  arose  a  mighty  famine 
in  t/uit  land ;  and  he  began  to  be  in  want." — Lukb 
xv.  13,  14. 


u  Return,    Return,    the    way    is    long    and 

dreary ; 
Return,  Return,  0  wand'rer  sad  and  weary  ; 

Why  so  with  sin  beguiled  ? 
Thy  Father's  heart  is  breaking, 
With  this  cruel  long  forsaking, 

Come  back,  come  back,  my  child  !  " 


74       THE    YEARNING  OF  THE  FATHER 

11  Gladly  I    would,   for    with    hunger    I    am 

perishing, 
The  memories   of    home    still    fondly    I    am 
cherishing, 

I'm  weary  in  the  wild  : 
No  Sabbath  bells  now  ringing, 
No  loving  voices  bringing 

Peace  to  this  heart  defiled  !  " 

"  Return,  Return,  why  any  longer  linger  ? 
There  are  sandals  for  your  feet,  and  a  ring  to 
deck  your  finger ; 

Your  Father,  reconciled, 
With  pity  will  behold  you, 
In  his  arms  He  will  enfold  you, 

Come  back,  come  back,  my  child  ! " 

"I    come,    I    come,    my   heart   with    joy   is 

beating, 
I  come,  I  come,  as  I  hear  Thee  thus  entreating, 
With  accents  fond  and  mild  : 


AXD   THE  SIGH  OF  THE  PRODIGAL.      75 

I  thought  myself  forsaken, 
But  to-morrow  I'll  awaken, 

Waken,  once  more,  Thy  child  !  " 

u  Oh,  joyful  sight  !  at  last  he  is  appearing, 
Light  up  the   festal  -  hall  —  the   wanderer  is 
nearing ; 

Go,  let  the  board  be  piled  : 
Let  fatted  calf  be  killed  for  him, 
And  golden  goblets  tilled  for  him, 

I've  found,  I've  found  my  child  !  " 


K 


But  Cfjou  ftrmamrst.' 


:  Thou  art  tJie  same,  and  Thy  years  shall  not  fail" 
— Heb.  i.  12. 


All  things   are  fleeting.     Summer's  burning 

glow 
Is  soon  exchanged  for   Autumn's    mellowed 

skies  : 
While  Winter,  surpliced  in  his  robe  of  snow, 
Stands  round  the  dying  year's  last  obsequies. 

Month    after    month    some    vacant    chair    is 

seen, 
Some  music  of  home  voices  hushed  and  gone  ; 
The  holy  memories  of  what  has  been, 
Carved    by    loved    hands   on   the    sepulchral 

stone. 


"but    THOU  REMAINEST."  77 


Ere  long,  the  sun  shall  wear  his  sackeloth  pall, 
The  moon  shall  cease  to  lend  her  silvery  gleam ; 
From  their  bright  seats  the  vassal  stars  shall 

fall, 
And  earth  shall  vanish  like  a  waking  dream : — 

"But  Thou  remainest !  "   O'er  no  joys  of  Thine 
Can  toll  the  requiem  of  the  funeral  bell; 
But  like  perennial  streams  from  fount  divine, 
Onward  they  flow  unchanged — unchangeable  ! 


Jfarebjcll  to  Palestine. 


Banias,  Mount  Hermon,  April?,,  1867. 
Though  many  be  the  shores  and  lands 
My  pilgrim  steps  have  wandered  o'er, 
From  Alpine  heights  to  classic  lands  ; — 
Oh,  never  have  I  felt  before 

The  effort,  to  pronounce  farewell 
To  all  those  varied  scenes  of  thine ; 
No  other  spot  can  share  thy  spell, 
Unique,  beloved  Palestine! 

Yet,  not  thy  outward  form  can  claim 
This  tribute-tear  in  parting  now ; 
These  fields  so  drear,  these  hills  so  tame, 
The  laurels  faded  on  thy  brow. 


FAREWELL    TO    PALESTINE.  79 


Dare  I  conceal  the  inward  taunt, 
As  over  mount  and  vale  I  trod, 
"Is  this  indeed  the  Angel-haunt, 
The  Seraph-land— the  Home  of  God  ? " 

Beneath  my  childhood's  skies,  I  ween, 
A  thousand  spots  I  can  recall, 
Far  lovelier  than  your  loveliest  scene, 
Of  wood,  and  lake,  and  waterfall 


In  vain  I  looked  for  limpid  rills, 
"Where  Syrian  shepherd  led  his  flock, 
No  herbage  on  your  blighted  hills, 
No  pine-tree  in  "the  rifted  rock." 


Greater  your  charms,  ye  streams  of  home, 
"Which  verdant  meadows  gently  lave, 
Than  Jordan,  with  its  turgid  foam, 
Fast  hastening  to  its  Dead  Sea  grave. 


SO  FAREWELL    TO   PALESTINE. 

Or  Kishon,  by  whose  crimsoned  tide 
Confronting  hosts  their  trumpets  blew  ; 
What  is  your  scanty  stream,  beside 
My  own  loved  Con,  or  Avondhu  ? 


What  are  the  hills  of  Ephraim  bared, 
What  Moab's  sombre  mountain-chain, 
What  Judah's  limestone  heights,  compared 
With  Grampians  seen  from  Dunsinnane  ? 


Grander  Ben  Nevis'  rugged  slope 
Than  Carmel's  cliffs  of  sombre  hue ; 
Tabor  and  Hermon  vain  can  cope 
With  Cruachan  or  Ben- Venue. 


No  bosky  dells  with  lichen  grey, 
No  tresses  wave  on  birchen -tree, 
No  limpid  torrent  sings  its  way 
Mid  copse  and  heather  to  the  sea. 


FAREWELL    TO    PALESTINE.  %\ 

And  as  the  golden  daylight  fades, 
No  antlered  monarchs  of  the  hill 
Are  seen  to  steal  through  forest  glades 
And  slake  their  thirst  at  lake  or  rill. 


But  hush  : — the  one  absorbing  thought 
Transfigures  all  the  passing  scene, 
And  makes  the  present  time  forgot, 
In  musing  what  the  past  has  been  : — 

Here  Patriarchs  lived,  here  Prophets  trod, 
Here  Angels  on  their  errands  sped ; 
The  home  of  sainted  men  of  God, 
The  resting-place  of  holy  dead  ! 

More  wondrous  still : — on  these  same  hills 

The  eye  of  God  Incarnate  fell ; 

He  walked  these  paths,  He  drank  these 

rills, 
He  sat  Him  by  yon  wayside  well. 


82  FAREWELL    TO    PALESTINE. 

Oft,  by  that  Kedron  brook,  He  heard 

The  rustle  of  its  olives  grey, 

Or  carol  of  the  matin-bird 

Which  greeted  the  first  eastern  ray. 


In  Temple  court,  or  noisy  street, 
When  wearied  with  the  wrangling  cry, 
How  oft  He  found  a  calm  retreat 
In  thee,  thrice- hallowed  Bethany  : 

Watching  the  evening  shadows  fall, 
Or  glow  of  sunbeam  from  the  west, 
Transmuting  Moab's  mountain- wall 
Into  a  blaze  of  amethyst ! 


Or  Thou,  Gennesaret !  favoured  Lake, 
How  fragrant  with  His  presence  still  : 
The  deeds  of  love — the  words  He  spake 
Graved  on  thy  shores  indelible! 


FAREWELL    TO    PALESTINE.  83 


Thy  green  hills  oft  were  altar  stairs 
Up  which  His  weary  footsteps  trod, 
For  morning  praise  and  midnight  prayers, 
Away  from  man,  alone  with  God. 

He  loved  the  flowers  which  fringed  thy  sea, 
He  trod  thy  groves  of  stately  palm, 
Thy  carpets  of  anemone, 
Thy  vine-clad  hills,  and  bowers  of  balm. 


Enough. With  kindred  interest  teems 

Each  scene,  where'er  I  gaze  around  : 
The  land  throughout  a  Bethel  seems, 
And  "every  place  is  hallowed  ground." 

Adieu  !  each  shrine  cf  holy  thought, 
Each  ruined  heap — each  storied  "Tel." 
I  pluck  the  last  "  Forget-me-not," 
And  now  I  take  a  fond  farewell  ! 


84  FAREWELL    TO   PALESTINE. 

To-night,  on  Hermon's  northern  brow, 
The  stars  upon  our  tents  shall  shine  ; 
Set  up  the  stone  !  record  the  vow  ! 
1 '  Forget  thee,  never — Palestine  !  " 

The  lifelong  wish  and  dream  to  see 
Thy  blessed  acres,  God  has  given  : 
A  lingering  tear  I  drop  to  thee, 
Thou  earthly  vestibule  of  Heaven  ! 


GEHjat  is  a  0oMe  life? 

[Answer  to  a  question,  written  currente  calamo.)* 


What  is  a  noble  life? 

From  its  early  dawn  to  its  evening  time, 
From  its  morning  prime  to  its  curfew- chime, 
The  golden  ladder  of  riches  to  climb. 
To  lay  the  head  on  a  pillow  of  down, 
With  villa  in  country  and  mansion  in  town  ; 
With  jewels  to  flash  in  the  festive  hall 
The  star  of  the  evening  carnival : 
Money  to  gratify  every  whim, 
The  howl  of  pleasure  full  to  the  brim  : 
No  common  draughts — no  common  fare — 
A  sparkling  goblet  everywhere  : 
Without  a  thought  and  without  a  care. 


*  This  will  account  for  the   colloquial  style  and  irregu- 
larities in  metre. 


86  WHA  T  IS   A    NOBLE    LIFE  ? 

A  butterfly,  speeding  from  flower  to  flower, 
And  sipping  its  sweets  from  hour  to  hour  : 
The  cry  of  the  needy  heard  in  vain  ; 
Never  to  give,  but  always  to  gain, 
The     dominant     thought    of    the    fevered 

brain : 
Self  permitted  supreme  to  reign. 
Leaving  the  widow  and  orphan  to  die  : 
Nought  to  distract  the  ear  and  eye 
From  the  singing-birds  and  the  azure  sky ; 
And  this  the  soul-soliloquy — 
"My  brother's  keeper  I  never  shall  be, 
I  hate  the  sight  of  misery  ; 
Legal  provision  there  is  to  dispense 
With  such  things  as  benevolence. 
From  my  pillow  of  ease  I  shall  not  rise  : 
I  never  was  made  to  sympathise  : 
Alms  indiscriminate  are  unwise  ; 
I  see  not  the  duty  of  sacrifice. 
Thou    hast    goods    laid    up  for  years,  my 

soul, 


WHAT    IS    A    NOBLE    LIFE?  87 

A  life  of  pleasure  in  thy  control, 
Go,  quaff  thy  full  at  the  brimming  bowl : " — 
That's  not  a -noble  life. 

What  is  a  noble  life? 
To  do  and  dare  for  others'  weal ; 
The  weary  and  stricken  heart  to  heal ; 
To  lessen  the  burden  of  earthly  woe  ; 
Over  the  outcast  a  shield  to  throw  ; 
Scorning  the  seat  of  ignoble  ease, 
'With  constant  desire  and  aim  to  please ; 
Overlooking  self  for  another's  good, 
A  blessing  in  the  neighbourhood  : 
Meeting  the  joyous  with  joyful  smiles, 
The  sad  with  kindness  which  sorrow  beguiles ; 
The  unforgiving,  whose  lip  reviles, 
With  the  press  of  the  hand  which  reconciles. 
Loving  to  climb  the  sick  man's  stair, 
Replenishing  the  cupboard  bare  ; 
Soothing  the  mind  oppressed  by  care, 
With  balm-words  'mid  earth's  tear  and  wear; 


8S  WHAT   IS    A    NOBLE    LlFtl 


Owning  a  brother  everywhere. 

In  the  deep  midnight  of  despair, 

The  grief  of  stricken  hearts  to  share ; 

To  sit  upon  the  empty  chair, 

And  speak  of  those  no  longer  there. 

With  an  ear  alert  to  the  orphan's  cry, 

"With  a  hand  to  wipe  the  tear-dimmed  eye, 

Or  to  soothe  the  widow's  agony. 

With  gentle  words,  from  time  to  time, 

To  lift  the  outcast  plunged  in  crime 

Ont  of  the  depths  of  their  miry  slime, 

And  reach  them  the  ladder  they  still  may 

cli  mb. 
Existence  thus  a  jubilant  hymn, 
A  chalice  of  mercy,  full  to  the  brim  : 
A  giving  of  alms  that  is  prudent  and  wise  : 
"The  singing  of  birds  and  the  azure  skies" 
Made  sweeter  by  self-sacrifice. 
Scorning  ambition,  and  pleasure,  and  pelf, 
The  cringing  to  Mammon,  the  worship  of  self; 


WHAT   IS    A    NOBLE    LIFE?  89 

Freely  receiving,  as  freely  to  give, 
For  others  to  plan  and  to  work  and  to  live, — 
That  is  a  noble  life  ! 


What  is  the  noblest  life? 
To  add  to  all  these  a  life  for  God  : 
To  follow  the  path  the  saints  have  trod  : 
With  the  bended  knee  each  day  begun, 
On  the  bended  knee  when  the  day  is  done  : 
With   the  love   and   the  will   of  a    dutiful 

child, 
Maintaining  the  conscience  undo  filed. 
This  the  rudder  by  which  to  steer, 
When  the  way  of  duty  is  not  clear, 
"How  would  my  Lord  have  acted  here?" 
Never  to  doubt  and  never  to  fear 
With  Him  as  my  Guide  and  Pioneer  : 
Trusting  His  grace  to  bear  me  through, 
Whate'er  be  the  work  1  have  to  do, 
Whether  my  talents  be  many  or  few  ; 
Ever  unselfish,  faithful  and  true. 


90 


WHAT  IS    A    NOBLE    LlFtl 


To  enter  on  all  I  undertake, 

Be  what  it  may,  for  His  dear  sake  ; 

My  every  thought  and  my  every  aim 

Enkindled  at  His  altar-flame. 

In  going  the  sick-bed  lamp  to  trim, 

In  seeking  to  aid  the  eyeball  dim, 

In  soothing  the  weary  and  aching  limb, 

To  do  it  all  as  if  done  for  Him. 

To  see  in  each  gift — in  each  trifling  loan — 

Each  seed  that  is   scattered — each  handful 

sown, 
No  effort  or  deed  I  can  call  my  own, 
But  a  debt  which  I  owe  to  Him  alone. 
Content  with  whate'er  be  the  lot  assigned, 
Thankful  for  blessings, — in  trial  resigned  ; 
Assured  that  His  dealings  for  good  are  de- 
signed. 
To  Him  every  sorrow  and  w^ant  to  confide, 
His  Holy  Word  my  unerring  guide, 
My  watchword  su:e,   "The  Lord  will  pro- 
vide :  " 


WHAT   I H    A    NOBLE    LIFE] 


9* 


My  safety  clinging  to  His  side. 

From  morning  dawn  to  eventide. 

Careless  of  riches,  honours,  and  fame, 

Careful  alone  of  a  spotless  name  ; 

Nothing  to  cause  the  blush  of  shame  ; 

With  a  single  eye,  and  a  single  aim. 

When  death's  booming  waves  are  heard  trom 

afar, 
Heady  to  step  in  the  fiery  car, 
And  mount  to  the  place  where  the  sainted  are, 
To  shine  still  for  Christ  as  a  lowly  star, 
With  no  darkness  to  dim,  and  no  sin  to  mar. 
To  have  fought  the  fight,  the  race  to  have  run, 
To  have   heard  pronounced   His   own    "  Wei] 

done ;  " 
To  have  gained  the  Crown  and  the  Kingdom  won. 
To  have  left  the  earth  by  the  Seraph-road ; 
In  love  with  man — at  peace  with  God  ; 
Lying  calmly  down  on  the  pillow  to  die, 
And  waking  up  in  Eternity — 

That  is  the  noblest  life  ! 


BaiutJ   3Libtngst0iic: 
H? is   Bcatij   an  to   Burial 


Chitambo,  May  isf,  1873  >' 
Westminster  Abbey,  April  i8.7*,  1874. 


Now  the  end  of  all  was  nearing 

Underneath  the  tattered  awning  ; 

Angels  wonld  relieve  their  vigils 

Ere  another  morrow's  dawning. 

First  they  raised  him  from  the  mud-floor, 

Leaves  and  grass  his  pallet  only, 
Then  they  smoothed  a  downless  pillow 
In  that  desert  drear  and  lonely  ; 
While  the  faithful  hoy  Majwara 
Lay  close  by  his  dying  master, 
Knowing  well  how  helpless  was  he 
To  avert  the  dire  disaster. 


DAVID    LIVINGSTONE.  93 


As  the  waves  of  life  were  ebbing, 
Thoughts  about  the  past  were  ever 
Mingling  in  the  feverish  wanderings 
Over  mountain,  lake,  and  river. 
"Say,  is  this  the  Luapula? 
This  the  chill  Lofuko's  water?" 
"No,  my  Bwana,"  *  answered  Susi, 
Nursing  like  a  tender  daughter  ; — 
M  We  are  near  the  Mulilamo, 
We  are  in  Chitanibo's  village, 
You  may  sleep  assured  of  safety, 
Fearing  neither  blood  nor  pillage." 

Then  he  Bank  in  broken  slumber; 
Who  can  tell  what  he  was  dreaming  ? 
Of  his  childhood  days  at  Blantyre  ; 
Of  the  golden  sunlight  gleaming 
Through  old  Both  well's  storied  Castle, 
Lighting  its  umbrageous  meadows  ; 
Or  when  in  the  silver  moonlight 
He  had  watched  the  tender  shadows  ? 

"Master" — :be  name  by  which  they  addressed  him. 


94  DAVID   LIVINGSTONE  : 

Or  it  may  be  of  the  Mother 
Who  the  Mission  torch  first  lighted, 
Which  her  son  had  borne  to  regions 
By  the  direst  curse  benighted  ? 
Or,  perchance,  the  sainted  partner 
Who  in  life  had  shared  his  dangers, 
Dreaming  she  had  closed  his  eyelids 
In  the  far-off  land  of  strangers  ? 

Now  his  sight  is  quickly  fading, — 
"  Susi — come  and  light  the  candle  ; 
Fill  my  med'cine-cup  with  water, 
Guide  my  fingers  to  the  handle." 
Promptly  were  his  wishes  answered, 
Half  were  guessed  from  speech  so  broken  ; 
"  You  can  go,"  in  feeble  whispers, 
Wrere  the  last  words  that  were  spoken. 

Tt  was  four  in  summer  morning, 
When  the  herbs  with  dewdrops  glisten, 
That  the  wakeful  Negro  rises, 
Creeping  to  the  couch  to  listen. 


HIS    DEATH   AND    BURIAL.  95 


But  all  watchinga  now  are  needless, 
Footsteps  gliding  soft  and  slowly  ; 
For  his  fond,  devoted  master 
Resteth  with  the  Good  and  Holy ! 

Forth  he  speeds  to  faithful  Susi, 

Rousing  him  from  fitful  slumber  ; 

"Come  to  Bwana — follow  quickly, 

Chumah,  come  with  all  our  number  !  " 

Hastily  they  ran  together, 

Entering  the  silent  shieling, 

There  they  gazed  upon  the  dead  man 

To  his  God  devoutly  kneeling  ! 

"  Hush  !  our  master  still  is  praying," 

For  they  deemed  they  were  mistaken, 

Thinking  he  had  slept  from  weakness, 

And  would  by-and-by  awaken. 

* '  Vet,  come,  feel  how  cold  his  cheek  is  ; 

Matthew  !  can  you  hear  no  breathing  ? 

Has  the  forehead  ceased  its  throbbing? 

And  the  chest  its  cruel  heaving  ? " 


96 


DAVID    LIVINGSTONE  : 


Yes,  indeed,  it  all  was  over  ; 
Pain,  unrest,  and  toil  are  ended  ; 
He  has  gone  to  meet  his  kindred, 
Spirit  hath  with  spirit  blended  : 
On  Almighty  strength,  the  hero 
In  the  hour  of  death  reposes  ; 
Prayer  began  his  noble  warfare, 
And  with  prayer  the  battle  closes. 
He  has  gone  to  get  the  welcome, 
1 '  Good  and  faithful  servant  enter  ; " 
Summon  in  no  hired  minstrels, 
Africa  !  be  his  lamenter. 
As  "All  Israel"  mourned  for  Samuel, 
Let  your  millions,  broken-hearted, 
Gather  round  in  tears  and  sackcloth, 
And  bewail  the  Great  Departed  ! 


Within  England's  reverend  Minster, 
Proud  custodier  of  the  ages, 


HIS    DEATH  AND    BURIAL. 


97 


Resting-place  of  kings  and  princes, 
Poets,  heroes,  statesmen,  sages  ; 

Every  head  is  bowed  in  silence 
As  the  mourner's  tread  is  sounding ; 
Strange,  unwonted  is  the  homage 
Of  the  tear-dimmed  crowd  surrounding. 
Who  this  honoured  entrant  ?  counted 
Worthy  of  these  precincts  hoary  ; 
Brotherhood  assigned  with  sleepers 
"  Each  one  lying  in  his  glory  ?  " 

'Tis  the  good  man  we  have  gazed  on 
On  his  desert  bier  reposing, 
Tender  children  of  his  wanderings 
Closing  eyes  and  limbs  composing. 
When  the  burst  of  grief  was  over, 
And  the  public  days  to  mourn  him, 
Through  a  thousand  miles  of  desert 
These  his  faithful  sons  had  borne  him. 
Only,  first  the  clamant  favour 
Africa  had  made  with  weeping, 


DA  VI D    L I VIKGS  TO  NE  : 


11  If  you  will  his  dust  to  England, 
Let  liis  heart  he  in  my  keeping  !  " 
It  was  done  : — the  lowly  casket 
Safe  was  laid  beneath  a  mvula  ;  * 
Then  the  funeral  cortege  slowly 
Wended  towards  the  Luapula. 
Over  sandy  wastes  they  traversed, 
Scorning  toil  or  leagues  to  measure  ; 
Bating  heart  or  hope  no  moment, 
On  they  bore  their  priceless  treasure. 

In  that  ancient  Fane  are  gathered 
Men  of  every  clime  and  order, 
Brothers  from  his  native  Clydesdale, 
Clansmen  from  beyond  the  border  : 
Best  and  choicest  sons  of  England 
In  the  common  grief  are  sharing, 
Peer  and  statesman — royal  depute, 
Each  his  immortelle  is  bearing  : 

*  A  large  tree  standing  by  the  place,  and  on  which  Jacob 
Waiuwright  carved  the  name  and  d.«te  of  death. 


HIS    DEATH   AND    BURIAL.  99 

Hushed  the  Bliibboleth  of  party, 

u  All  the  creeds"  these  ais!es  are  thronging; 
Champion  he  of  no  mean  faction, 
But  to  Christendom  belonging. 
Rise  !  ye  warrior  dead  around  him, 
Solemn  shades  of  the  departed  ! 
Rise  !  and  give  ungrudging  welcome 
To  the  true  and  noble-hearted. 
"Well  may  costliest  rites  be  paid  him, 
Gush  of  song  and  organ  pealing; 
Wake  to  life  your  holiest  echoes, 
Fretted  aisle  and  gilded  ceiling  ! 

Now  the  obsequies  are  over : 
Dust  with  kindred  dust  has  blended  ; 
But  as  Sabbath's  sun  is  westering, 
Multitudes  anew  have  wended 
To  the  shrine  which  holds  his  ashes  : 
Crowds  again  of  every  station 
Throng  within  the  spacious  precincts 
For  the  funeral  oration. 


DAVID    LIVINGSTONE. 


Who  among  the  favoured  listeners 
Can  forget  that  mn  ic  thrilling, 
Like  the  voice  of  many  waters, 
Choir  and  nave  and  transept  filling, 
As  the  words  of  Inspiration 
Sweetly  told  the  Pilgrim's  story, 
Or  pourtrayed  his  noble  life-work 
Haloed  with  prophetic  glory ; — 
"When  the  wilderness  shall  blossom, 
Fountains  in  the  desert  springing, 
And  like  Lebanon  and  Carmel 
Break  forth  into  joy  and  singing  .  M  * 
Or  when  rose  "  0  God  of  Bethel,"  t 


*  I -a.  xxxi.  i,  2.     The  Anthem  selected, 
t  The    well-known    paraphrase,    placed    at    the    end    of 
Scottish  Bibles,  and  so  peculiarly  appropriate  to  the  occa- 
si  n — 

"O  God  of  Bethel,  by  whose  hand 
Thy  people  -till  are  fed  ; 
Who  through  this  weary  pilgrimage 
Hast  all  cur  fathers  led. 


"Oh  spre-  d  Thy  covering  wings  around 
Till  all  our  wanderings  cease, 
And  at  our  Father's  loved  abode 
Our  souls  arrive  in  peace,"  &c. 


HIS    DEATH   AND    BURIAL,  ioi 

Simple  words,  so  dearly  cherished, 
By  the  Great  man  from  his  childhood, 
To  the  day  he  nobly  perished. 

Silent  then  the  strains  of  music ; 
And  amid  a  hush  unbroken, 
Lofty  words  of  panygeric 
By  befitting  lips  were  spoken. 


Rites  are  ended : — and  the  ''Dead  March,' 
With  a  cadence  slow  and  measured, 
Wailed  its  dirges  o'er  the  ashes 
Which  the  nation's  crypt  had  treasured. 
Best  in  peace,  thou  hero-martyr  ! 
Grandly  simple  is  thy  story  : 
Scotland  gave  thee— England  keeps  thee, 
And  to  God  we  give  the  glory. 


©ije  Incorruptible. 


"  It  is  sown  in  corruption,  it  is  raised  in  incorrupt  ion,* 
— i  Cor.  xv.  42. 


Earthly  tabernacle  shaking, 
Earthly  beams  and  rafters  breaking, 

Tell  the  outward  man's  decay : — 
But  through  clinks  of  battered  ceiling, 
Rays  of  heavenly  glory  stealing, 

Harbinger  eternal  day. 

Oh  be  mine  that  morn  of  brightness, 
"When,  in  robes  of  vestal  whiteness, 

Myriads  rise  no  more  to  die  ; 

Gazing  back  on  death's  dark  portal, 
Seeing  all  that  once  was  mortal 

Clothed  with  immortality  ! 


iHisstonarg  $ptn— ftfje  Cross 
of  Cfjrist 


"  Lift  ye  up  a  banner." — Isa.  xiii.  2. 

"And  f,  if  I  be  lifted  up  from  the  earth,  will  draw  all 
men  unto  me" — John  xii.  32. 


Lift,  lift  the  Cross  of  Christ : — Tell  of  grace 
abounding ; 

In  every  tribe  and  kingdom  let  His  banner  be 
unfurled. 

Blow,  blow  the  trumpet,  loud  and  lofty  sound- 
ing, 

Till  its  tones  of  jubilee  echo  round  the  world. 

Sow,  sow  the  Gospel  seed : — Forget  the  nigh  I 
of  weeping ; 

The  furrows  are  athirst,  and  invite  the  pre- 
cious grain  : 


104  MISSIONARY  HYMN. 

They  that  sow  in  tears,    shall    yet    have   a 

glorious  reaping, 
And  bearing  harvest  treasure  "  shall  rejoicing 

come  again." 

Gird,  gird  the  loins  about,  let  the  lights  be 
burning ; 

Be  like  servants  waiting  for  the  coming  of 
their  Lord  : 

Lest  the  Royal  Bridegroom  find  on  His  return- 
ing 

Lamps  of  faith  untrimmed,  and  the  oil  of  grace 
unstored. 

Work,  work  while  yet  the  spring  flowers  deck 

the  meadows ; 
While  times  of  blessing  linger,  and  working 

seasons  last : 
Before  the  landscape  darken  with   evening's 

lengthened  shadows, 
The  summer  sunshine  ended,  and  the  joy  of 

harvest  past. 


THE    CROSS    OF   CHRIST.  105 

Lift,  lift  the  Cross  of  Christ  : — Tell  of  grace 
abounding; 

In  every  tribe  and  kingdom  let  His  banner  be 
unfurled. 

Blow,  Wow  the  trumpet,  loud  and  lofty  sound- 
ing, 

Till  its  tones  of  jubilee  echo  round  the  world ! 


fHtjpafj. 


'  And  Mizpah  :  for  he  said,  The  Lord  watch  between  me 
and  :hee,  when  we  are  absent  one  front  anotJur."— 
Ge\.  xxxi.  49. 


When  far  from  the  hearts  where  our  fondest 
thoughts  centre, 
Denied  for  a  time  their  loved  presence  to 
share  ; 
In  spirit  we  meet,  when  the  closet  we  enter, 
And    hold    sweet    communion    together  in 
prayer. 


Oh  !  fondly  I  think,    as  night's  curtains  sur- 
round them, 
The  Shepherd  of  Israel  tenderly  keeps  ; 
The  angels  of  light  are  encamping  around  them, 
They   are   watched    by   the   eye   that  ne'er 
slumbers  nor  sleejjs. 


MIZPAH.  107 


When  the   voice   of  the   morning  once  more 
shall  awake  them, 
And  summon  them  forth  to  the  calls  of  the 
day, 
I  will  leave  them  with  Him  who  will  never 
forsake  them, 
The  Friend  ever  near,  though  all  else  he  away. 

Then  why  should  one  thought  of  anxiety  seize 
us, 
Though  absence  divide  us  from  those  whom 
we  love  ; 
They  rest  in  the  covenant  mercy  of  Jesus, 
Their  prayers  meet  with  ours  in  the  mansions 
above. 

Oh,  blest  bond  of  friendship  !   whate'er  may 
betide  us, 
Though  on  life's  stormy  billow  our  barks 
may  be  driven, 
!N or  distance,  nor  trial,  nor  death  may  divide  us, 
Eternal  reunion  awaits  us  in  Heaven  ! 


W$Z  &0Cft  Of  &QC5. 


"  Whose  goings  forth  have  been  from  of  old,  from  ever' 
lasting" — Micah  v.  2. 

"Thy  throne,  O  God,  is  for  ever  and  ever." — Ps.  xlv.  6. 

"  His  name  shall  be  called  Wonderful,  Counsellor,  The 
mighty  God,  The  everlasting  Father,  The  Prince  of 
Peace." — Is  a.  ix.  6. 

"  He  hath  on  His  vesture  and  on  His  thigh  a  name  written, 
King  of 'Kings,  and  Lord  of  Lords." — Rev.  xix.  16. 

"And  a  man  shall  be  as  an  hidi7?g  place  from  the  wind, 
a?id  a  covert  from  the  tempest ;  as  rivers  of  water  in 
a  dry  place,  as  the  shadow  of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary 
land" — Isa.  xxxii.  2. 

u  And  every  creature  which  is  in  heaven,  and  on  the  earth, 
and  under  the  earth,  and  such  as  are  in  the  sea,  ajid 
all  that  are  in  them,  heard  I  saying,  Blessing,  a7id 
hotiour,  ajid  glory,  and  power,  be  ?into  Hi>?i  that 
sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb  for  ever 
and  ever  " — Rev.  v.  13. 


Great  "Rock  of  Ages,  swathed  in  clouds  of  light, 
Whose  heights  unclimbed,  ne'er  foot  of  angel 
trod  : 
Ancient  of  Days — Almighty — Infinite  ! 

Older    than    Nature's    eldest-born : — Great 
God— 


THE   ROCK  OF  AGES.  109 

We  praise,  we  bless,  we  magnify  Thy  name  ! 

And  as  before  the  birth  of  Time  wert  Thou, 
So,  through  unending  ages  still  the  same, 

Past,  present,  future,  one  eternal  Now  ! 

Thou  didst  descend  from  everlasting  bliss, 
In  manger  born,  to  raise  us  up  on  high ; 

A  woe -worn  Pilgrim  in  earth's  wilderness, 
Wedding  our  finite  dust  with  Deity. 

Around  Thy  path  no  blazoned  banners  wave ; 

No  jewelled  diadem  Thy  brows  adorned; 
Thy  cradle  borrowed,  and  a  borrowed  grave, 

Servant    of    servants,    poor,    despised,   and 
scorned  !  - 

The  spotless  Lamb  is  to  the  slaughter  led, 
The  Son  of  man  and  Lord  of  Glory  dies  ; 
For  us  !  for  us  !  He  bowed  His  thorn-wreathed 

head  : 
0  mystery  transcending  mysteries  ! 


IIO  THE   ROCK  OF  AGES. 

The  mighty  triumph  is  at  last  complete, 

Hell's  myriad  hosts  are  vanquished  and  un- 
crowned, 
Death  lays  his  sceptre  at  the  Victor's  feet, 
And  captive  millions  rise  with  chains  un- 
bound. 

0  Saviour  God,  ascended  up  on  high, 
Thou  Great  High  Priest  within  the  Temple- 
veil, 
To  all  that  call  upon  Thee  ever  nigh, 

"Prince  who  hast  power  with  God,  and  must 
prevail ; " 

Thou  who  dost  reign  Thy  Church's  Lord  and 
Head, 
"With  many  crowns  upon  Thy  regal  brow, 
Thou  who  shalt  come  to  judge  both  quick  and 
dead, 
Unfailing  Shelter  !  hide  Thy  servant  now  ; — 

That  when  archangel's  trump  is  pealing  loud, 
"When  every  mountain  shall  a  Sinai  be  : " 


THE    ROCK  OF   AGES.  m 


When  sun  and  moon  shall  wear  their  sackcloth 
shroud, 
Creation  in  her  final  agony  ; — 

"Found"  in  Thy  clefts,  and  shielded  by  Thy 
might, 
From  Thy  blest  love  and  presence  nought 
may  sever ; 
Earth's  shadows  merged  in  Heaven's  unclouded 
light, 
Securely  sheltered  in  THE  Rock,  FOR  EVEB I 


(Earlg  ©ra&e*. 


"Shall    the    dust   praise    TJieel    shall    it  declare   Thy 
truth  t"— Vs.  xxx.  8. 

"To  WHAT  PURPOSE  IS  THIS  WASTE?" — MATT.  XXVL   8. 


Oh,  "to  what  purpose  is  this  icaste?" 
The  words  kept  ringing  in  my  ear, 
As  with  a  trembling  hand,  I  placed 
A  green  wreath  on  her  early  bier. 

It  was  not  in  life's  winter  time 
These  blooming  buds  were  wrenched  away ; 
But  in  the  blaze  of  summer's  prime, 
"Her  sun  went  down  ere  yet  'twas  day." 

The  aged  in  God's  acre  lie, 
Their  names  are  on  its  tombstones  traced 
But  why  should  early  promise  die  ? 
Say,  "  to  what  purpose  is  this  waste  ?" 


EARLY  GRAVES.  113 

Fondly  I  prized  that  lovely  mind, 
Where  all  was  gentle,  sweet,  and  mild, 
A  thousand  fragrant  flowers  entwined 
The  earth  bower  of  my  sainted  child. 


Forth  sped  the  doom,  " Return  to  dust;** 
In  the  cold  grave  my  treasure  lies ; 
Was  I  a  traitor  to  my  trust, 
Forgetting  not  to  idolise  ? 


"Oh,  to  what  purpose  is  this  waste?" 
Last  week  I  heard  the  ringing  laugh ; 
To-day,  through  anguished  tears  are  traced 
The  letters  of  her  epitaph ! 


I  miss  her  footsteps  at  my  door, 

I  miss  her  seated  by  my  chair, 

I  miss  her  in  the  corridor, 

When  gathering  at  the  hour  of  prayer. 

H 


H4 


EARLY  GRAVES, 


I  miss  her,  as  the  bell's  sweet  tone 
Is  ringing  in  the  Sabbath  feast : 
In  the  draped  pew  I  kneel  alone, 
The  music  of  her  voice  has  ceased, 

I  miss  her  at  the  sunset  glow, 
When  seated  by  the  greenwood  tree ; 
I  miss  her  wrheresoe'er  I  go, 
For  she  was  all  in  all  to  me. 

To-day  I  stood  beside  her  tomb, 
The  churchyard's  silent  wralk  I  paced ; 
And  echo  answered  through  the  gloom, 
"Lord,  to  what  purpose  is  this  waste ?" 


Hush  these  presumptuous  thoughts  :  refrain 

From  judging  with  unseemly  haste, 

In  His  own  time  God  will  explain 

His  "purpose  "  in  the  seeming  "  waste." 


EARLY   GRAVES.  115 

Oh  mourn  not,  that  in  early  prime 
They  are  removed  whom  He  hath  given  : 
He  rings  this  early  morning  chime 
To  bring  His  loved  ones  safe  to  Heaven. 


Better  the  lamb  with  fleece  unstained 
Thus  early  taken  from  the  flock  : 
Better  the  flower  thus  plucked  untrained, 
And  saved  the  wintry  tempest-shock. 

The  orb  which  seems  to  disappear 
Behind  earth's  dull  horizon-rim, 
Shines  in  a  better  hemisphere 
In  the  bright  world  of  Seraphim, 

Though  from  this  lonely  heart,  too  soon 
The  blossom  dropped  ere  yet  full  blown, 
I  thank  Him  who  bestowed  the  boon, 
I  bless  Him  for  the  transient  loan. 


Il6  EARLY   GRAVES. 

Wipe  then  the  eye  that  anguished  weeps 
O'er  ties  thus  early,  rudely  torn  : 
"The  damsel  is  not  dead  hut  sleeps," 
I'll  meet  her  in  the  heavenly  morn. 

Then  will  the  Lord  no  more  conceal 

The  way  that  cannot  now  be  traced ; 

In  His  own  light  He  will  reveal 

The  "purpose"  of  this  seeming  "WASTE." 

E'en  now,— as  wakeful  memory  flings 
These  saddening  shades, — methinks  I  hear 
The  rustle  of  her  Angel-wings 
And  words  are  whispered  in  mine  ear, — 

"Check  the  vain  wish,"  she  seems  to  say, 
"That  would  me  from  my  bliss  recall ; 
We  meet  in  yonder  realms  of  day, 
To  keep  Eternal  Festival !  " 

"Hr  asked  life  of  Thee,  and  Thou   gavest  him  a 

LONG  LIFE  :    EVEN    FOR    EVER  AND    EVER." — Ps.    xxi.  4. 

{Prayer-Book  Version.) 


&  Efjrccfolti  .SLttang. 


81  The  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  His  Son  cleanseth  us  from  all 
sin." — i  John  i.  7. 

"  Jesus  wept." — John  xi.  35. 

*'  And  when  Joseph  had  taken  the  body,  he  wrapped  it  in 
a  dean  linen  cloth,  and  laid  it  in  his  own  new  tomb, 
which  he  had  hewn  out  in  the  rock:  and  he  rolled  a 
great  stone  to  the  door  of  the  sepulchre,  and  departed. 
So  they  went,  and  made  the  sepulchre  sure,  sealing 
the  stone,  and  setting  a  match." — Matt,  xxvii.  59, 
60,66. 

By  Thy  cross  and  passion,  Lord  ! 

By  Thy  precious  blood  outpoured 

By  Thy  untold  woes  for  me, 

Suffered  in  Gethsemane  : 

By  Thy  last  expiring  cries ; 

By  Thy  priceless  sacrifice  ; 

Jesus,  bend  Thy  loving  eye — 
Wash  my  sins  of  crimson  dye  ! 


Il8  A     THREEFOLD    LITANY. 


By  those  touching  accents  spoken 

To  the  lone  heart  crushed  and  broken  : 

Giving  back  "The  Widow's  Son," 

Her  beloved — her  only  one  ; 

By  that  fond  and  tender  tear 

Falling  on  a  Brother's  bier ; 

By  each  word  bequeathed  by  Thee 

At  the  grave  of  Bethany. 

Jesus,  bend  Thy  loving  eye 
When  bereaved  to  Thee  I  cry ! 

By  Thy  still,  departed  breath, 
Vanquished  Vanquisher  of  death  ! 
Once  adored  of  cherubim, 
Now  with  rayless  eyeballs  dim  ; 
By  Thy  passage  through  the  tomb, 
Entering  silent  Hades'  gloom  : 
By  the  shroud  the  weepers  saw, 
In  the  grave  of  Golgotha — 

Jesus,  bend  Thy  loving  eye — 
Oh  be  with  me  when  I  diet 


ft?crc  anto  Efjcre. 


"Now  we  see  through  a  glass,  darkly;  but  then  face  to 
face" — i  Cor.  xiii.  12. 

"  Mortality  shall  be  swallozved  up  of  life ." — 2  Cor.  v.  4. 

"  And  there  shall  be  no  more  death,  ?ieither  sorrow,  nor 
crying,  neitlier  shall  there  be  any  more  />ain :  for  the 
former  things  are  passed  away." — Rev.  xxi.  4. 


Here  all  our  joys  are  fleeting, 

Like  tidal  waves  retreating, 

And  leaving  rippled  footprints  upon  the  sandy 

shore ; 
But,  in  that  world  of  glory, 
No  voice  can  wail  the  story 
Of  pleasures  that  have  faded  and  joys  that  are 

no  more. 


Here  there  are  vacant  places, 
Here  there  are  absent  faces, 


I?0  H!  RE    AXD    THERE. 

Or  smiles  that  mutely  greet  us  from  portraits 

on  the  wall ; 
But  there,  affliction  never 
The  dearest  ties  can  sever, 
Or  presence  of  bereavement  sad  memories  recall* 

Here  there  is  oft  disowning ; 

The  wounded  heart  bemoaning 

The  faithlessness  of  those  we  were  born  on 
earth  to  love  : 

But  there,  no  heart  is  broken, 

By  cruel  thoughts  outspoken, 

Estrangement  is  unknown  'mong  the  brother- 
hood above. 

Here  some  uniooked  for  sorrow 
May  cloud  the  sunniest  morrow, 
And  wreck  our  fragile  barks  upon  a  stormy  sea : 
But  there,  no  waves  are  rolling, 
No  funeral  bells  heard  tolling, 
Our  loved  and  lost  restored,  and  for  ever,  Lord, 
with  Thee. 


HERE   AND    THERE.  121 

Here  legion  foes  surround  us, 

The  Tempter's  chains  have  bound  us, 

Corruption,    pride,    and    passion    hold    wild 

revelry  within. 
But  there,  the  conflict  ended, 
Each  saint  shall  be  defended 
From  the  tyranny  of  Satan — the  demon  power 

of  sin. 

Here  before  every  mortal, 

There  lies  the  gloomy  portal, 

Death  waves  his  icy  sceptre  and  the  chilling 

shadow  falls. 
But  there,  through  Gateway  glorious, 
We  enter  shall  victorious, 
Upon  the   Life  eternal,   within  the  Jaspar- 

walls. 


<&bm  So, 


u  Even  so,  Father:  for  so  it  seemed  good  in  Thy  sight"— 
Matt.  xi.  26. 


0  !  my  Father,  even  so  ! 
Nought  is  stable  earth  can  show ; 
Vanishing  like  wreaths  of  snow, 
Or  like  transient  sunset-glow. 
Sorrows  will  their  shadow  throw,' 
Withered  leaves  the  pathway  strew, 
Gourds  are  smitten  as  they  grow  ; 
Friendships  come,  and  friendships  go  : 
Billows  tossing  to  and  fro  ; 
All  at  best  a  passing  show. 
But,  amid  the  ebb  and  flow, 
'Tis  enough  for  me  to  know, 
All  that  happens  here  below, 
Thou  in  love  appointest  so  : 
Taking  what  Thou  didst  bestow, 
Raising  up,  and  laying  low, — 

EVEN  SO  ! 


Cljr  possession  of  Entquttg. 


u  Tkvu  makest  me  to  possess  the  iniquities  of  my  youth?  - 
Job  xiii.  26. 


Who  would  covet  the  possession 
Of  a  direful  hoard  like  this  ? 
Heritage  of  old  transgression, 
Sin  its  own  dread  Nemesis  ? 

Mountain  upon  mountain  towering 
With  black  summits  to  the  skies, 
Conscience-stricken  spirits  cowering 
From  avenging  memories  ! 

Furies  with  their  "snaky  tresses" 
Baring  scourges  long  concealed, 
Hunting  guilt  from  dark  recesses 
Never  dreamt  to  he  revealed. 

Contents  of  sin's  poisoned  chalice, 
Which  perchance  the  guiltless  shared, 


124      THE   POSSESSION   OF   INIQUITY. 

Looks  of  envy — words  of  malice — 
Deeds  of  darkness — all  unbared. 

Nothing  hidden — nothing  perished — ■ 
Scarlet  stain  or  crimson  blot ; 
Vain  the  dream  presumption  cherished, 
"  Surely  God  regardeth  not." 

Oh,  when  Angel-trump  is  pealing, 
Can  the  record  be  effaced  ? 
How  evade  the  dread  revealing 
"Which  the  pen  of  Heaven  has  traced? 

Go,  in  penitence  bewailing, 
Go,  and  now  bemoan  thy  guilt : 
Trust  the  promise  never  failing, 
"  I  will  save  thee  if  thou  wilt." 

Hasten,  eveiy  soul  despairing, 
At  the  cross  of  Jesus  fall ; 
Though  with  legion  sins  repairing, 
He  will  freely  pardon  all. 


EIjc  Streiujtfj  of  tfje  Eftcary.. 


\  Wlw  is  this  that  coineth  up  from  the  wilderness  leaning 
upon  her  beloved  t" — Solomon's  Song  viii.  6. 


What  dejected  form  is  this 
Coming  from  the  wilderness  ? 
Fee  hie  step,  and  languid  eye, 
Tell  a  chequer'd  history  ; 
Weary  one,  art  thou  alone, 
With  no  arm  to  lean  upon  ? 

"  Everlasting  arms  of  love 
Are  beneath,  around,  above  ; 
He  who  left  His  throne  of  light, 
And  unnnmber'd  angels  bright ; 
He  who  faced  the  fiery  flood, 
Braved  the  baptism  of  blood  ; 
Who  upon  th'  accursed  tree 
Gave  His  precious  life  for  me. 


126         STRENGTH   OF    THE    WEARY. 

He  it  is  that  bears  me  on, 
His  the  arm  I  lean  npon. 

"  He  who  marks  each  falling  tear 
Of  His  burden'd  pilgrims  here  ; 
He  who  wields  creation's  rod, 
He  my  Brother,  yet  my  God, 
Never  slumb'ring,  never  sleeping, 
Vigils  ever  wakeful  keeping, 
Faithful  He,  whate'er  betide, 
Is  my  Everlasting  Guide  ! 

"  All  things  hasten  to  decay, 
Earth  and  seas  must  pass  away ; 
Soon  must  yonder  circling  sun 
Cease  his  blazing  course  to  run. 
Scenes  may  vary,  friends  grow  strange, 
But  The  Changeless  cannot  change  ; 
Fellowship  that  nought  can  sever, 
Loving  once,  He  loves  for  ever  ! 
Say,  with  such  a  Friend  as  this, 
Who  would  dread  the  wilderness  ?  " 


Barjtllat  tfjc  ffiilralittf. 

2  Samuel  xvii.  27,  28  ;  xix.  31-39. 

[Prelude.] 
Noblest  of  all  Arab  chieftains, 
Old  Barzillai,  princely-hearted, 
From  the  fastnesses  of  Gilead, 
With  his  band  of  bold  retainers, 
In  the  hour  of  adverse  fortune, 
In  the  hour  of  sudden  exile, 
To  the  outcast  David  hastens. 
Armed  with  words  and  deeds  of  kindness, 
Sped  he  'cross  his  mountain-passes, 
With  the  produce  of  his  meadows, 
Sympathising  with  the  fallen. 
How  the  old  man  loved  to  bring 
Offerings  to  the  crownless  king ! 


128  BARZILLA1  THE  GILEAD1TE. 

Now  the  looming  clouds  have  vanished ; 
Low  is  laid  the  base  usurper, 
And  his  rebel  horde  are  scattered. 
Once  more  do  the  sons  of  Juilah 
Welcome  back  their  banished  monarch ; 
Jubilant  the  path  of  triumph 
With  the  plaudits  of  his  people, 
As  they  bear  him  home  to  Zion. 
Yet  again  does  brave  Barzillai 
Hasten  from  his  desert  stronghold, 
To  partake  in  the  ovation, 
And  bestow  his  farewell  blessing. 


Hear  the  words  that  passed  between  them  :— 

David. 

"  Welcome,  welcome,  great  BarziUai  ! 
Not  with  gold  can  I  repay  thee  : 
To  my  palace  on  Mount  Zion 
Come  with  me,  I  fondly  pray  thee  . 


BARZILLAI  THE  G1LEADITE.  129 

Choicest  portions  shall  be  thine, 
Pledges  of  a  friendship  stable  ; 
Golden  goblets  filled  with  wine, 
Choicest  seat  around  my  table." 

Barzillai. 

"Nay,"  did  the  aged  chief  reply, 
M  My  only— best  reward  will  be, 
That  in  thus  hastening  with  relief, 
I  loyal  was  to  truth  and  thee  ; 
Shunning  the  dastard's  part  and  woe 
Who  tramples  on  a  humbled  foe. 
Thanks  for  the  kindly  offer  made 
To  join  thy  princely  cavalcade  : 
But  let  me  go,  I  dare  not  stay, 
But  homeward  I  must  bend  my  way." 

David. 

"Mighty  chief,  we  must  not  sever: 

Let  my  urgent  wish  decide  thee  : 

Cross  with  me  the  border  river, 

Make  thy  home  for  life  beside  me  : 

I 


BARZILLAI  THE  GILEADITE. 

Though  thou  leave  thy  warrior  clan, 
This  right  arm  shall  never  fail  thee ; 
Thou  shalt  share  my  own  divan, 
Zion's  music  shall  regale  thee." 

BARZILLAI. 

"  Nay,  son  of  Jesse,  speak  not  thus, 

Nor  seek  to  importune  me  so  : 

I  know  thee  too  magnanimous, 

To  urge  unduly  : — Let  me  go. 

Remember,  that  full  fourscore  years 

Have  left  their  scars  upon  my  brow, 

I  dare  not  leave  my  mountaineers 

To  seek  another  homestead  now. 

How  long  have  I  to  live,  that  I 

Should  join  thy  royal  caravan? 

Songs  to  dull  ears  no  joys  supply, 

No  rest  for  age  a  rich  divan. 

Once  was  the  time  when  such  could  please, 

When  glad  I  hailed  the  festive  hour, 

And  revelled,  in  the  couch  of  ease, 


BARZILLM   'I HE  GILEADI7E. 


O'er  trill  of  bird  and  breath  of  flower. 
When  on  this  head  no  raven  lock 
Was  blanched  with  flake  of  winter  snow, 
When  I  could  brave  the  battle  shock 
And  take  or  give  the  warrior's  blow. 
"When  agile  limbs  could  nimbly  chase 
Up  dizzy  heights  the  wild  gazelle, 
Or  higher  mount  the  precipice 
Where  only  could  the  eagle  dwell. 
Or  when  these  ears  with  joy  could  hear 
The  dulcet  notes  of  pastoral  reed ; 
The  shepherd  boy  or  mountaineer 
Discoursing  by  the  verdant  mead. 
But  now  no  songs  can  reach  my  ear, 
The  gush  of  music  fails  to  charm ; 
Nor  can  the  war- trump,  loud  and  clear, 
Wake  to  old  deeds  this  faltering  arm. 

The  pilgrim  staff  supplants  the  sword. 

Return — Beloved  of  thy  Lord  : 

I  only  would  a  burden  be, 

Illustrious  warrior  king,  to  thee  ! 


BARZ1LLAI  THE  GILEADITE. 

Pass,  then,  with  your  brilliant  pageant, 

Tempt  me  not  to  go  from  hence  ; 

On  with  your  r.  tainers  valiant, 

Nought  seek  I  of  recompense. 

Age  demands  but  one  employment ; 

Let  me  in  my  home  abide  ; 

Suffer  me  the  calm  enjoyment 

Of  a  quiet  eventide 

Let  me  go,  and  not  detain  me, 

In  my  city  let  me  die  ; 

Palace  halls  would  only  pain  me, 

Let  me  with  my  kindred  lie. 

This  one  boon  alone  I  crave, 

Lay  me  in  my  parents'  grave." 


Wlien  the  king  came  over  Jordan, 
Then  he  gave  the  kiss  of  friendship  ; 
And  thus  spake  to  old  Barzillai, 
When  the  moment  came  for  parting  : — 


barzillai  the  gileadite.       133 

David. 
"Go  !  and  may  Jehovah  shield  thee  ! 

Aged  chieftain — go  in  peace  ! 
May  thy  fields  abundance  yield  thee, 

Ever  may  thy  flocks  increase. 

"  Be  thy  home  in  tent  or  city, 
Desert's  fort  or  shepherd's  fold  ; 

May  He  thine  unselfish  pity 
Recompense  a  thousand  fold. 

u  And  when  full  of  years  and  hoary, 
Thou  shalt  with  thy  kindred  lie, 

May  thy  children  learn  the  stoiy 
How  to  live  and  how  to  die  !  " 


Sufficient  ©race. 


"  Take  therefore  no  thought  for  the  morroiv :  for  the 
morroiv  shall  take  thought  for  the  things  of  itself 
Sufficient  unto  the  day  is  the  evil  thereof." — Matt. 
vi.  34- 

"As  thy  days,  so  shall  thy  strength  he."— Deut.  xxxiii.  25. 


How  many  linger  on  life's  way, 
Forecasting  vain  their  future  sorrow  : 
He  who  gives  needed  strength  to-day, 
Will  give  it  for  that  unknown  morrow. 

"Sufficient  is  My  grace  for  thee  ; " 
Be  this  the  cure  for  care's  corrodings  : 
"As  is  thy  day  thy  strength  shall  he," 
May  well  disperse  all  dark  forhodings. 

Then  garner  no  redundant  store  ; 
Nor  for  the  future  seek  to  borrow ; 
Enough  for  present  use — no  more  ; 
So  "take  no  thought  about  to-morrow." 


33e  $e  also  ftcaDg. 


liAnd  at  midnight  tlure  was  a  cry  made.  Behold,  tki 
bridegroom  cometh  ;  go  ye  out  to  meet  him." — Matt. 
xxv.  6. 


Chartered  heirs  of  endless  glory, 
Wondrous  is  the  bliss  before  you  ! 
Live  with  your  salvation  nigh, 
Ready  for  the  midnight  cry. 
Dying  moments  dread  not  so ; 
These  are  but  the  portico 
Opening  to  your  Father's  hall ; 
Shadows  for  a  moment  fall, 
Then  Eternal  festival  ! 
Life,  not  death,  is  surely  this, — 
Birthday  of  unending  bliss  ! 
Soon  the  Lord  you  love  will  come, 
Safely  to  conduct  you  home. 


I36  BE    YE    ALSO    READY. 

Gird  your  loins,  your  lanterns  trim, 
Watch,  and  wait,  and  work  for  Him  : 
Be  ye  faithful  servants  all, 
Longing  for  the  Master's  call. 


33egonli  tfje  fttbcr* 


Hark  !  a  peal  of  heavenly  bells, 

Ringing,  ringing, 
With  ten  thousand  voices  sweet, 

Singing,  singing — 
u  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  once  slain, 
Who  hath  purchased  our  salvation ; 
Made  us  kings  and  priests  to  reign, 
Out  of  every  tribe  and  nation. 

We  are  safe  beyond  the  river ; 

From  His  presence  nought  can  sever ; 

We  shall  sing  His  praise  for  ever  ! " 

Hark  !  a  peal  of  heavenly  bells, 

Ringing,  ringing, 

With  ten  thousand  voices  sweet, 

Singing,  singing — 


138  BEYOND    THE   RIVER. 

"  We  have  gained  our  Home  at  last, 

In  His  Palace  bright  and  glorious ; 

Every  wave  of  Jordan  past, 

Over  every  foe  victorious. 
Now  across  the  border  river, 
From  His  presence  nought  can  sever  ; 
We  shall  sing  His  praise  for  ever. " 


Hark  !  a  peal  of  heavenly  bells, 

Ringing,  ringing, 
With  ten  thousand  voices  sweet, 

Singing,  singing — 
' '  Now  we  read  God's  ways  aright : 
All  that  evil  once  portended, 
In  the  blaze  of  Heavenly  light, 
Is  with  love  and  wisdom  blended. 
Seen  across  the  border  river, 
From  His  presence  nought  can  sever  ; 
We  shall  sing  His  praise  for  ever." 


BF.YOXD    THE    RIVER.  139 

Hark  !  a  peal  of  heavenly  bells, 

Ringing,  ringing, 

With  ten  thousand  voices  sweet, 

Singing,  singing— 

"  Here  beloved  friends  we  meet ; 

Here  restored  their  smiles  of  gladness  ; 

Everlasting  bliss  complete, 

Joys  unmixed  with  aught  of  sadness. 

Fought  the  fight — the  kingdom  won, 

Death  behind  us — life  before  us, 

While  eternal  ages  run, 

Never  shall  we  cease  the  chorus — 
We  are  safe  beyond  the  river, 
From  His  presence  nought  can  sever ; 
We  shall  sing  His  praise  for  ever." 


Viyz  Contrite  ano  f&umWc  Spirit. 


"For  thus  saith  the  high  atid  lofty  One  that  inhabiteth 
eternity,  whose  name  is  Holy :  I  dwell  in  the  high 
and  holy  place,  with  him  also  that  is  of  a  contrite  and 
humble  spirit,  to  revive  the  spirit  oj  the  humble,  and 
to  revive  the  heart  of  the  contrite  ones." — Isa.  lvii   15. 


0  Thou,  whose  Palace  is  on  high, 
By  myriad  angel-hosts  adored  : 
Who  cease  not  day  nor  night  to  cry, 
"  AU  holy,  holy,  is  the  Lord  ! " 

A  lowlier,  humbler  home  than  this, 
Is  dignified  as  Thine  abode  : 
The  heart  for  sin  that  broken  is, 
Becomes  Thy  dwelling-place,  0  God  ! 

Let  no  base  things  athwart  its  halls, 
Their  dark,  polluted  shadow  throw  ; 
Let  joy  and  love  adorn  its  walls, 
And  peace  surmount  its  portico  ! 


CONTRITE  AND  HUMBLE  SPIRIT.      141 

The  myrtles  grow  not  on  the  heights, 
The  lily  seeks  the  valley-shade, 
The  lark  in  lowliest  furrow  lights, 
The  fullest  corn-ear  droops  its  head. 

Let  such  a  lowly  heart  be  mine ; 
Such  incense  from  life's  altar  rise  ; 
Conquer  my  pride,  0  grace  Divine  ! 
Its  demon-spirit  exorcise. 

The  High  and  Lofty  One  awaits 
To  enter  in.     Prepare  the  way ; 
LTndo  the  bolts — lift  up  the  gates — 
Welcome  the  Heavenly  Guest  to-day  I 


(gbtntttx. 


'*  Thou  shalt  remember  all  the  way  wh:ch  the  Lord  thy 
God  led  thee  these  forty  years  in  the  wilderness,  to 
humble  t/tee,  and  to  prove  thee." — Deut.  viiL  2. 

'■And  when  thev  cam*  to  Marah,  they  could  not  drink  of 
the  waters  of  Marah,  for  they  were  bitter:  therefore 
the  naine  of  it  zuas  called  Marah." — Ex.  xv.  23. 

'And  they  came  to  Elim,  where  were  twelve  wells  of 
water,  and  threescore  and  ten  palm  trees:  a7id  ihey 
encamped  tltere  by  the  waters." — Ex.  xv.  27. 


I  will  remember  all  the  way 
By  which  the  Lord  my  God  hath  led  me ; 
A  fire  by  night — a  cloud  by  day — 
With  heavenly  manna  He  has  fed  me. 

The  Marah- streams  of  sorrow  few, 

Have  with  their  bitter  waters  found  me  ; 

While  Elim's  mercies,  ever  new, 

Have  spread  their  palm-shade  oft  around  me ! 


EBENEZER.  143 


While  yet  I  tread  this  Yale  of  Tears, 

While  yet  this  tongue  hath  strength  to  praise 

Thee ; 
Let  me,  throughout  my  waning  years, 
New  Ebenezers  fondly  raise  Thee  ! 

And,  when  I  reach  eternal  day, — 

The  manna  ceased,  on  earth  which  fed  me, — 

Still,  I'll  remember  all  the  way 

By  which  the  Lord  my  God  hath  led  me  ! 


forager. 


*  He  went  out  into  a  mountain  to  pray ■,  and  continued  all 

night  in  prayer  to  God." — Luke  vi.  12. 

*  At  night  He  -went  out,  and  abode  in  the  mount  that  is 

called  the  Mount  of  Olives." — Luke  xxi.  37. 
1  Let  us  therefore  come  boldly  unto  the  throne  of  grace, 
that  we  may  obtain  utercy,  and  find  grace  to  help  in 
time  oj  need" — Heb.  iv.  16. 


Oft  as  the  daylight  hours  were  gone, 
When  friends  forsook,  and  foes  beset, 

The  Saviour  of  the  world,  alone, 
Retired  to  pray  on  Olivet. 

And  still  by  faith  I  climb  its  steep, 
A  respite  from  earth's  cares  to  find  ; 

To  hush  distracting  thoughts  asleep, 
Amid  this  Sabbath  of  the  mind. 


PRAYER.  145 

The  saint  in  glory  owns  and  sees 
A  brother  in  the  Man  of  prayer ; 

The  little  infant  on  its  knees 
Is  kinsman  to  each  seraph  there. 

Oh  !  may  I  cherish  more  and  more 
The  shelter  of  this  calm  retreat, 

And  realise  the  bliss  in  store 

For  those  who  love  the  Mercy-seat. 

When  ends  at  last  life's  little  day, 
The  Master's  final  summons  given  ; 

On  Prayer  I  still  shall  soar  away, 
Till  changed  to  songs  of  Praise  in  heaven. 


Scepticism  atfo  Jaitfj. 


"  The  fool  hath  said  in  his  heart,  There  is  no  God." — Ps. 
xiv.  i. 

" For  God,  ivho  com?nanded  the  light  to  shine  out  of 
darkness,  hath  shined  in  our  hearts,  to  give  the  light 
of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face  of 
Jesus  Christ." — 2  Cor.  iv.  6. 

"  For  the  which  cause  1  also  suffer  these  things :  neverthe* 
less  I  am  not  ashamed :  for  I  kno7v  whom  I  have 
bel/eved,  and  am  persuaded  that  He  is  able  to  keep  that 
which  I  have  coimnitted  unto  Him  against  that  day." 
— 2  Tim.  L  12. 

Oh,  sad  is  he  who  can  descry, 

No  higher  God  than  "Destiny," 

Ruling  this  world  so  fair  : 

Who  in  life's  loom  the  shuttles  see 

Weaving  their  web  capriciously, 

Without  Artificer  : 

A  barque,  unpiloted,  astray, — 

The  sport  of  fitful  winds  and  spray ; 

Poor  self-abandoned  castaway, 

Drifting  he  knows  not  where. 


SCEPTICISM  AND    FAITH.  147 

Thrice  happy,  Lord,  are  those  who  see 
This  bright  creation  all  in  Thee, 
And  there  Thy  footsteps  trace  : 
And  happier  those  to  Jesus  led, 
Renew'd,  forgiven,  and  comforted, 
The  children  of  His  grace  ; 
Exulting  in  His  boundless  love  ; 
Longing,  on  wings  of  soaring  dove 
To  mount  to  brighter  worlds  above, 
His  glorious  dwelling-place. 

"I  know  in  whom  I  have  believed  ;n 
He  who  by  dying  has  achieved 
What  I  could  ne'er  have  Avon  ; 
0  Saviour,  I  commit  my  soul 
Unto  Thy  loving,  wise  control ; 
And  when  my  race  is  run,— 
When  on  that  great  and  solemn  day 
The  heavens  and  earth  shall  pass  away, 
My  still  unwavering  trust  and  stay 
Shall  be  in  Thee  alone. 


SLift's  €fantfoe. 


"  The  day  goeth  away,  for  the  shadows  of  the  evening  are 

stretched  out." — Jer.  vi.  4. 
"  The  Master  is  come,  and  calleth  for  thee" — John  xi.  28. 


The  hour  draws  nigh,  when  evening  shades 
Stretched  out  shall  be  in  checkered  glades, 
And  earth's  familiar  landscape  fades. 

When  death  around  its  darkness  flings, 
Be  these  mysterious  shadowings, 
The  shade  of  the  Almighty's  wings  ! 

When  the  last  summons  comes  to  me, 

Like  Angel  whispering  let  it  be — 

"The  Master  's  come,  and  calh  for  thee  !" 

And  friends  who  final  vigils  keep, 

With  this  glad  thought  will  cease  to  weep^ 

"  He  giveth  His  beloved  sleep  !  " 


fftgmn  of  tfje  €xtIro  Faufcois. 

("  La  Renlrce  Glorieicse,  1 686.") 

Great  God  of  armies  !     King  of  kings  ! 
O  spread  Thine  everlasting  wings 

Around  our  pilgrim  band  ; 
S'Ul  o'er  us  may  Thy  banner  stream, 
And  in  Thy  strength  we  shall  redeem 

Our  cherished  Fatherland ! 

Soon  shall  this  night  of  trouble  end, 
If  Thou  from  Zion  help  wilt  send 

And  cause  Thy  face  to  shine  : 
For  neither  buckler,  spear,  nor  shield 
Can  win  for  us  the  battle-field, 

The  victory  is  Thine  : 

Remember,  Lord,  Thine  ancient  fold  ; 
The  hero-martyrs,  who  of  old 

Bled  on  these  mountains  bare  ; 


ISO 


HYMN  OF  THE  EXILED  VAUDOIS. 


Their  couch  the  sod,  their  home  the  cave, 
Their  only  resting-place,  the  grave, 

The  snow  their  sepulchre. 
And  let  Thy  grace  and  power  appear, 
To  us,  their  children,  banished  here, 

When  unto  Thee  we  cry ; 
See,  they  have  laid  our  altars  low, 
And,  wasted  by  the  cruel  foe, 

Our  sanctuaries  lie. 
Hear  us,  0  God  !  and  peace  impart 
To  many  a  broken,  bleeding  heart, 

From  home  and  kindred  torn ; 
Wilt  Thou  refuse  the  exiled  race 
Their  father's  peaceful  dwelling-place, 

And  cast  us  off  forlorn  ? 
Jehovah  is  our  sure  defence, 
And,  guarded  by     nmipotence, 

Our  onward  march  shall  be; 
Supported  by  our  living  Head, 
And  by  the  God  of  battles  led 

To  death  or  victory  !' 


"lobe  of  fctgfjt,  anb  Scorn  of 


'Fraudulent    bankruptcy    of   the   old  established  fl>  ;n 
of ,  &c.  &>c" — Daily  Paper. 


Must  we  wail  in  dirgeful  numbers, 
Over  an  apostate  age  ; 
And  arraign  a  nation — faithless 
To  her  noblest  heritage  ? 
Why  these  stoops  to  base  intriguing? 
Where  has  high-soul'd  Honour  fled  ? 
Why  the  beauteous  shrine  so  empty 
Where  she  once  was  worshipped  ? 
What  ere  while  was  England's  glory, 
Chronicled  in  prose  and  song, 
Reckoned  an  effete  old  story — 
"Love  of  rigid,  and  scorn  of  wrong.''' 


152  LOVE  OF  RIGHT, 

Vain  to  boast,  "her  meteor-pennon 
Braves  the  battle  and  the  breeze  ; " 
That  her  adamantine  navies 
Ride  the  champions  of  the  seas  : 
Vain  that  on  gigantic  anvils 
Hundred  thousand  hammers  ring, 
Wealth  of  brain  and  power  of  muscle 
Cyclop  trophies  fashioning  : — 
If  she  suffer  pelf  and  mammon, 
Lording  o'er  her  million  throng, 
To  eclipse  her  yeoman  motto — 
"Love  of  right,  and  scorn  of  wrong." 

Owners  of  her  fields  of  plenty, 
Ye  who  reap  the  golden  grain, 
As  ye  store  your  harvest  treasures, 
Hold  in  scom  illicit  gain. 
As  ye  walk  the  marts  of  commerce, 
As  ye  plant,  or  build,  or  sell, 
Let  all  arts  of  over-reaching 
Shunned  be  as  the  <;ates  of  hell 


AND  SCORN"  OF  WRONG,  153 


Keep  your  conscience  pure,  untainted ; 
Be  existence  short  or  long, 
Hold  aloft  the  golden  watchword — 
"Love  of  right,  and  scorn  of  wrong" 


GHjr  iHuta&Ic  uvto  tljc  Immutable. 

(Translation  of  a  prose  chapter  into  blank  verse.') 


1  They  shall  perish,  but  Thou  shall  endure:  yea,  all  of 
them  shall  wax  old  like  a  garment  /  as  a  vesture  shall 
Thou  change  them,  and  they  shall  be  changed:  But 
Thou  art  the  same,  and  Thy  years  shall  have  no  end" — 
Ps.  cii.  26,  27. 

'Jesus  Christ,  the  same  yesterday,  and  to-day,  and  for 
ever." — Heb.  xiii.  8. 


Let  the  dumb  earth  bear  witness  !  for  her  hills 

And  rocks  are  stony  tablets  : — nature's  scroll, 

On  which  with  iron  pen  she  has  inscribed 

The  story  of  her  own  vicissitude  : 

Strata  on  strata  piled — a  shelved  museum 

And  sepulchre  of  races  long  extinct. 

Where    forests    grew    and    living    creatines 

roamed, 
To-day  a  waste  of  waters  :  while  where  hum 
Of  cities  now  ascends  or  mountains  rise, 
The  boom  of  sounding  billows  once  was  heard. 


MUTABLE  AND  IMMUTABLE.  155 

Behold  her  mighty  empires  passed  away, 
"  Like  as  a  dream  when  one  awakeneth  ! " 
The    night    owl    screeches,    and    the    jackal 

howls 
Amid  the  wastes  of  Babylon.     See  how 
The  pick-axe  and  the  shovel  have  exhumed 
The  winged  symbols  of  Assyrian  power, 
Long  buried  in  their  desert  sepulchre  ! 
Where  stood  the  palaces  of  Queenly  Tyre 
And    the    green    waters    laved    her    marble 

walls, 
The    fisher's    net    is    spread.       The    Roman 

Eagle 
Steered  its  stupendous  flight  for  centuries 
Over  a  prostrate  world.     At  last  it  falls 
With  wings  collapsed ;  and  other  harpy  birds 
Of  evil  omen,  from  the  forest  swamps 
Of  hyperborean  regions,  build  their  nests 
On  the  proud  summits  of  her  Capitol. 

Such  is  the  story  of  earth's  proudest  tribes ; 


156         MUTABLE  AND  IMMUTABLE. 

The  web  of  nations  weaving  and  unweaved  ; 
Empires     dismembered  ;      jewelled     sceptres 

crushed, 
Which  dreamt  of  nought  but  immortality  ! 

Each  human  life  a  miniature  of  this  ; 
From  infant  smiles,  on  to  the  tears  of  death, 
The  roll  and  record  of  incessant  change. 
Manhood  !  attest  it  : — where  th'  ancestral  tree 
Beneath  whose  shadow  childhood  loved  to  play; 
The    willow-branch    that   kissed   the   purling 

brook  ; 
The  smiles  that  greeted  at  the  garden  gate  : 
Or  worshippers,  at  sound  of  Sabbath  bell 
Hasting  their  steps  across  the  village  green 
To    pay  their   weekly  homage  ?    Where  the 

group 
That  sat  unbroken  round  the  cheerful  hearth  ? 
u  The  place  that  knew  them  knoweth  them  no 

more  ! " 
Scattered  are  some  to  hold  their  varied  ways 


MUTABLE  AND  IMMUTABLE. 


In  the  great  world  : — while   others   have   set 

sail, 
Shipload  on  shipload  to  the  si'ent  land, 
Bequeathing  empty  chairs  and  vacant  hearts  ! 
How  many  cherished  flowers  of  promise  fair 
Have  drooped  and  paled  and  died  ere  summer 

came  ! 
How  many  waving  harvests  has  the  flood 
At  reaping  time  remorseless  swept  away  ! 
How  many  beauteous  piles  of  amber-cloud, 
Condensing  into  vap'rous  showers,  have  fallen  ! 
Rainbows  dissolving  quickly  as  they  formed  ! 
The  bough,  on  which  the  treasured  nest  was 

built, 
Felled  by  the  axe,  or  broken  by  the  storm  ! 
The  golden  viaduct  of  early  morn 
Changed,   ere   the   evening,  to  a   "Bridge   of 

Sighs ! " 

Such  are  life's  airy  bubbles  ; — passing  joys, 
Dancing  their  little  moment  on  the  stream, 


158  MUTABLE  AXD  IMMUTABLE. 

Then  vanishing  for  ever  !     Say,  amid 

These    severed    friendships,  —  buried   earthly 

loves, — 
The  rude  heart- shocks  of  passion,  and  caprice 
Of  changing  fortune  ; — are  no  Rock-clefts  found 
Wherein  to  fold  the  wing  and  sink  to  rest  ? 

Oh  !  turn  to  Him,  who  amid  every  change 
Remaineth  changeless.    Like  yon  Alpine  peak, 
By  human  foot  unsealed — uuscaleable  ; 
Summer  and  winter  clad  with  virgin  snow. 
With  kingly  mien  it   downwards    seems    to 

gaze 
Upon  the  riot  of  the  elements  : 
No  jewel  in  its  icy  crown  displaced; 
No  wrinkle  on  its  everlasting  brow. 
Type  of  the  Rock  of  Ages  !  high  above 
All  fluctuations.     Human  props  may  fail ; 
The  dearest  fellowships  of  earth  may  cease  ; 
Estranged  from  brother  may  a  brother  be, 
Sister  from  sister,  friend  grow  cold  to  friend. 


MUTABLE  AXD  IMMUTABLE.  159 

But  One  upon  the  Throne  of  Heaven  remains 
More  faithful  than  a  brother  !     Lift  your  gaze 
Above  these  leafless  boughs,  and  wintry  skies, 
And  slanting  shadows  ;  and  exulting  say, 
"  Thou  art  the  same,  Thy  years  they  shall  not 

fail ! " 
He  sitteth  in  His  world  of  calm,  beyond 
The  reach  of  mutability  :  unchanged 
'Mid   fitful    storm   and   sunshine,    births   and 

deaths, 
Glad  marriage  peals  and  doleful  funeral  knells. 
No  desolating  billow  which  has  swept 
Away  our  earthly  moorings,  can  dislodge 
The  soul  thus  sheltered  in  the  Living  Rock. 
LTpon  the  stormy  billows  we  can  see 
The  lustrous  rainbow  of  the  covenant 
Arching  the  angry  spray.     And  on  its  scroll 
Of  blended  ruby,  emerald,  and  gold, 
The  glorious  superscription  can  be  read — 
"I  am  Jehovah  and  I  cannot  change  '  " 


Sins  Cast  into  tfje  ©eptfjs  of 
ttre  Sea. 


"  Thou  wilt  cast  all  their  sius  into  the  depths  of  the  sea,** 
— MiCAH  vii.  19. 


Deep  sea  !  in  whose  unfathomed  caves 
Our  sins  are  cast  and  found  no  more  ; 
No  tempest  rage,  no  surging  waves, 
Can  beat  them  back  upon  the  shore. 

Low  in  unsounded  depths  they  lie, 
Like  Egypt's  submerged  chivalry. 
Like  the  army  and  horse,  the  shield,  bow,  and 

quiver, 
That  slumbered  deep  down  on  the  coral-paved 

floor  : 
So  our  legion  transgressions  are  buried  for  ever  : 
In  judgment  they  rise  to  condemn  us  no  more ; 
Buried  for  ever ! 
Evermore ! 


S/XS  CAST  IXTO   THE  SEA.  161 

"Thou  wilt  cast  all  their  sins  in  the  depths  of 

the  sea  "  : — 
How  gracious  the  tidings  for  you  and  for  me  ! 

Deep  sea  !  the  load  from  sight  is  lost ; 

But  where  the  mighty  burden  fell. 

Though  many  a  gallant  ship  has  crossed, 

There  is  no  milestone  left  to  tell. 

Unsounded  caverns  low  and  deep 

For  ever  will  the  secret  keep. 

Oh  yes  !  the  great  burden  is  sunk  in  no  river, 

Which  the  drought   of  the  summer  to  sight 

might  restore  ; 

It  is  plunged  in  the  ocean-depths, — buried  for 

ever, 

In  judgment  to  rise  and  condemn  us  no  more  : 

Buried  for  ever  ! 

Evermore  ! 

"  Thou  wilt  cast  all  their  sins  in  the  depths  of 

the  sea  "  : — 

Thrice  blessed  the  tidings  for  you  and  for  me  ! 

L 


^arapfjrasc  of  lisalm  xxtit. 

"  The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd" — Ps.  xxiii.  i. 

The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd,  nought  else  shall  I 

need ! 
Once  far  from  His  fold  in  my  loneliness  pining, 
To  His  own  verdant  pastures  He  brought  me 

to  feed, 
And  by  the  still  waters  I  now  am  reclining. 


Though  darkness,  at  times,  should  be  shroud- 
ing my  sky, 

And  I  gaze  on  a  wilderness  blighted  and 
dreary  ; 

The  meadows  seem  withered,  the  rivulets  dry, 

I  wander  through  thorny-brakes,  footsore  and 
weary  : — 


FA RAPHRA SE  OF  PSA LM  XXIII.       i 63 

'Tis  only  in  order  my  soul  to  restore, 

And  for  His  Name's  sake  in  a  right  path  to 

guide  me  : 
My  Shepherd  would  teach  me  to  seek  for  no 

more 
Save  the  pastures  His  wisdom  sees  meet  to 

provide  me. 

Yea,  though  I  should  journey  through  Death's 

shadow'd  vale, 
No  evil  I  fear,  for  His  arms  will  enfold  me  : 
"With  His  Presence  vouchsafed,  not  a  foe  can 

assail, 
His  rod  and  His  staff  through  the  gloom  will 

uphold  me. 

The  Keeper  of  Israel  a  table  has  spread, 
Prepared  in  the  presence  of  foes  that  surround 

me  ; 
With  oil,  rare  and  precious,  anointing  my  head; 
The  wastes  of  the  desert  made  fragrant  around 

me. 


164       PARAPHRASE  OF  PSALM  XXI II, 


Surely  Goodness  and  Mercy,    with  blessings 

anew, 
Will  follow  me  on  to  the  brink  of  the  river  : 
The  rush  of  its  waters  conducting  me  through, 
To  dwell  in  the  house  of  Jehovah  for  ever ! 


Millennial  Glory. 


"Let  the  wilderness  and  the  cities  thereof  life  up  their 

voice,  t/ie  villages  that  Kedar  doth  inhabit:  let  tlie 

inhabitants  of  the  rock  sing,  let  them  shout  Jrom  the 

top  of  the  mountains." — Isa.  xlii.  IX. 
"  The  glory  of  Lebanon  shall  come  unto  thee,  the  fir-tree, 

the  pine-tree,    and  the  box   together,   to  beautify  tlie 
place  of  my  sanctuary  ;  and  I  will  make  the  place  of 

my  feet  glorious."— Isa.  Ix.  13. 
**  The  Lord  hath  made  bare  His  holy  arm  in  the  eys  of 

all  the  nations  ;  and  all  the  ends  of  rhe  earth  shall  see 

th£  salvation  of  our  God" — Isa.  lii.  10. 


Hasten,  Lord,  that  morn  of  glory 
When  the  world  shall  groan  no  more  : 

When  the  Gospel's  joyous  story 
Shall  be  spread  from  shore  to  shore. 

Speed  the  glorious  proclamation, 
Let  Messiah's  power  increase  ; 

Every  tribe  and  tongue  and  nation 
Welcome  in  the  Prince  of  Peace  ! 


1 66  MISS  ION  A  RY  H\  'MX. 

Wake  your  echoes,  rocks  of  Kedar  ! 

Midi  an  !  Ephah  !  own  His  grace  ! 
"Fir,  and  pine,  and  box,  and  cedar, 

Beautify  His  holy  place  !  " 

Blessed  time,  when  every  dwelling 
Shall  the  joyful  anthem  raise  ; 

Every  heart  with  rapture  swelling, 
Thrilling  every  tongue  with  praise. 

When  the  leopard  and  the  lion 
With  the  lamb  in  peace  shall  lie, 

And  within  the  earthly  Zion 

Dwells  the  love  that  reigns  on  high  ! 

Firmament,  now  glowing  o'er  us  ! 

Mountains,  rivers,  isles,  and  sea ! 
All  combine  to  swell  the  chorus 

That  will  ring  earth's  jubilee  ! 


Sefotsfj  fHtsstonarg  fftgrniu 

The  Captive  Daughter  of  Zion. 


"  O  Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  which  killest  the  Prophets, 
eind  stonest  them  that  are  sent  unto  thee  ;  how  often 
would  I  have  gathered  thy  children  together,  as  a 
hen  doth  gather  her  brood  under  her  wings,  and  ye 
would  not  I" — Luke  xiii.  34. 

*' But  be  ye  glad  and  rejoice  for  ever  in  that  which  I 
create :  for,  behold,  I  create  Jerusa  !em  a  rejoicing, 
and  her  people  a  joy.  And  I  will  rijoice  in  Jerusii- 
fem,  and  joy  in  my  people :  and  the  voice  of  weeping 
shall  be  no  7iiore  heard,  in  her,  nor  ihe  voice  of 
crying." — Isa.  lxv.  18,  19. 


Tell  me,  0  thou  captive  daughter, 

Why  this  sackcloth  on  thy  brow  ? 

Why  thy  children  given  to  slaughter, 

Made  in  servitude  to  bow  ? 

Heaven  proclaims  the  awful  story  : 
"She  has  slain  the  Lord  of  Glory  !  " 


1 68         JE  WISH  MISS  ION  A  R  Y  HYMN. 

She  who  once  in  peerless  splendour 
'Mid  the  kingdoms  sat  enthroned  ; 
Alien  now,  without  defender, 
Scorned,  rejected,  and  disowned  ! 

Nations  !  read  the  thrilling  story, 
Lest  ye  scorn  the  Lord  of  Glory ! 

Zion  !  shall  there  then  be  spoken 

"  Glorious  things  "  of  thee  no  more  ? 

Does  thy  God,  thy  ramparts  broken, 

Still  forbid  thee  to  restore  ? 

Go  and  wail  with  tears  the  story, 
How  ye  slew  the  Lord  of  Glory  ! 

Lord  !  make  bare  Thine  arm  to  save  her ; 

Let  her  exiles  cease  to  roam  ; 

Let  the  promised  time  to  favour, 

Yea,  the  set  time,  let  it  come  ! 

Heralds  !  spread  the  joyful  story, 
Judah  owns  the  Lord  of  Glory  ! 


JE  WISH  MISSION  A  R  Y  II J  rMtf.  i 69 

Rise  !  ye  prostrate  sons  of  Salem  ; 

God  once  more  is  on  your  side. 

Weeping  aliens  !  come  and  hail  Him 

Whom  your  fathers  crucified. 

Teach  a  wondering  world  the  story, 
How  ye  love  the  Lord  of  Glory. 


fflorntng  fftgtnn. 


"I  laid  me  down  and  slept;  I  awaked ;  for  the  Lord 

sustained  me." — Ps.  iii.  5. 
" Behold,  He  that  keefieth  Israel^  shall  neither  slumber 

nor  sleep." — Ps.  cxxi.  4. 


0  God,  to  Thy  keeping 
This  day  I  commend  me ; 
Both  waking  and  sleeping 
In  mercy  defend  me. 

The  radiance  now  gleaming 
Through  morning's  bright  portal, 
Be  type  of  the  beaming 
Of  sunshine  immortal. 

1  know  not  ere  nightfall 
The  joys  that  may  cheer  me  ; 
The  bliss  sent  to  light  all 
The  path  that  is  dreary. 


. 


MORNING  HYMN,  171 

I  know  not  ere  nightfall 
What  comforts  may  perish, 
What  trials  may  blight  all 
I  now  fondly  cherish. 


But  this  doth  sustain  me, 
Whate'er  is  betiding, 
Let  pleasure  or  pain  be, 
'Tis  all  Thy  providing. 

May  mine  be  the  Christ-life, 
Meek,  gentle,  and  lowly, 
Evading  the  world's  strife, 
And  following  the  holy. 


On  Thee  ever  casting 
All  cares  that  surround  me, 
Thine  arms  everlasting 
Beneath  and  around  me. 


172 


MORNING  HYMN. 


Then  shall  I  go  boldly 
To-day  to  my  calling, 
Thy  grace  will  uphold  me, 
And  keep  me  from  falling. 


With  faith  ever  clearer, 
Life's  hours  shall  be  given, 
To  pitch  my  tent  nearer 
To  Thee  and  to  Heaven, 


£  iHoumcr's  fHormng  Iftptn. 


*'0  satisfy  us  early  with  Thy  mercy;  that  we  ?nay 
rejoice  and  be  glad  all  our  days.  Make  us  glad 
acco?  ding  to  t/ie  days  wherein  Thou  hast  afflicted  us, 
and  the  years  wherein  we  have  seen  evil." — Ps.  xc. 
14,  15- 

Abide  with  me,  Thou  gracious  Guide, 
My  lamp  by  night,  my  sun  by  day ; 
Thy  gracious  presence  at  my  side 
Bids  every  anxious  fear  away. 

Ere  I  begin  life's  "common  task," 
Hush'd  be  its  feverish  cares  awhile, 
That  calm  reposing,  I  may  bask, 
Eternal  One  !  beneath  Thy  smile. 

Vouchsafe  this  day  Thy  pardoning  grace, 
My  countless  sins,  0  God,  forgive ; 
If  Thou  shine  on  me  with  Thy  face, 
It  must,  indeed,  be  bliss  to  live. 


174      A  MOURNER  S  MORXIXG  HYMX. 

Earth's  fondest  hopes,  and  cherished  dreams 
Are  fitful,  fugitive,  and  vain  ; 
The  best  of  its  polluted  streams 
I  only  drink  to  thirst  again. 


Earth's  brightest  suns  may  cease  to  shine, 
Earth's  shelters  fail  to  give  defence  : 
Not  so  the  Sun — the  Shield  Divine, 
The  " strong  tower"  of  Omnipotence  ! 

Yes,  "  even  youth  shall  weary  grow, 
And  young  men  utterly  shall  fall ; " 
But  never  faintness  those  shall  know 
Who  have  made  Thee,  0  God,  their  all. 

Oft  in  a  gloomy,  chequered  past, 
When  human  hopes  appeared  in  vain, 
A  gracious  look  from  Thee  was  cast, 
And  sadness  turned  to  joy  again  ! 


A  mourner's  MORNING  HVM.V.      175 

Still  would  I  feel  Thee,  ever  near  ; 
Ne'er  at  Thy  will  may  I  repine  ; 
Thy  presence  dries  each  falling  tear; 
Proclaims  all — "  needful  discipline.'1 


Teach  me  resigned  to  kiss  the  rod, 
And  in  each  stroke  Thy  hand  to  own ; 
Or  let  me  trust  Thee,  0  my  God, 
If  now  the  "need  he  "  is  unknown. 


Soon  shall  Thy  dealings  be  unroll'd, 
The  wondrous  chart  will  fix  my  gaze  ; 
And  heaven's  revolving  years  unfold 
New  matter  and  new  theme  for  praise. 


Wave  upon  wave  which  roll'd  before 
Tempestuous  o'er  this  ruffled  breast ; 
Then  lull'd  asleep,  shall  break  no  more 
The  rapture  of  eternal  rest. 


176    a  mourner's  morning  hymn. 

Glad  thought !  to  reach  Thy  blest  domain, 
Where  pleasure  reigns  without  alloy  ; 
Where  trial  is  unknown,  and  pain 
Shall  never  break  the  tfance  of  joy. 

Oh  cheering  hope  !  the  desert  past, 
And  life's  illusive  visions  o'er  ; 
The  longed-for  Canaan  reached  at  last, 
"Where  sin  is  felt  and  fear'd  no  more. 

To  taste  Thy  love — to  see  Thy  face — 
My  endless  happiness  shall  be  ; 
Lord  !  independent  of  all  place. 
Where'er  Thou  art  is  Heaven  to  me, 


<£bcmrt(j  f&jmttu 


11 Abide  with  ns :  for  it  is  toward  evening-,  and  the  day  is 

far  spent." — Llke  xxiv.  29. 
"  So  He  giveih  His  beloved  sleep." — Ps.  exxvii.  2. 


As  nature  tolls  her  curfew-hell, 

Draw  near  Thou  Great  Invisible  ! 

The  turmoil  of  the  day  is  o'er  ; 

The  last  wave  breaks  upon  the  shore  ; 

The  vanished  sun  has  left  in  sight 

No  legacy  of  golden  light. 

The  moon  takes  up  her  silver  lyre, 

"While  round  her  stand  the  starry  choir, 

Like  choristers  in  vestures  white 

In  the  great  Temple-Court  of  night. 

The  tuneful  tenants  of  the  air, 

Warbling  their  closing  vesper  prayer, 

M 


178  EVENING  HYMN, 

Have  sunk  with  folded  wing  to  rest 
In  their  uncurtained  woodland  nest. 
0  Thou,  enthroned  mid  scaphim, 
Who  listenest  to  their  silent  hymn  ; 
Come  and  accept  the  meed  of  praise, 
Which  from  these  feeble  lips  I  raise. 
Hear  me,  0  Father  reconciled  ! 
Smooth  the  night  pillow  of  thy  child  ; 
Till  morning  break,  sweet  vigil  keep, 
And  givre  to  Thy  Beloved  sleep  ! 


Statftag  ftformng. 


**/  ivas  glad  ivheti  they  said  unto  me,  Let  us  go  into  the 

house  of  the  Lord." — Ps.  cxxii.  i. 
"He  is  not  here :  for  He  is  risen,  as  He  said.     Come,  see 

tJie place  where  tlie  Lord  lay." — Matt,  xxviii.  6. 


0  Thou,  who  hast  a  Temple-shrine, 
In  every  lowly  contrite  soul, 
Kindle  this  heart  and  lip  of  mine, 
As  with  a  living  altar- coal ! 

No  costly  rites  I  need  prepare, 
No  rich  oblations  need  I  bring  ; 
The  spirit  meek — the  fervent  prayer 
Are  Thine  accepted  offering. 

Come,  blessed  Saviour,  from  above 
Thy  faithful  promises  fulfil ; 
Speak  as  of  old  Thy  words  of  love, 
And  breathe  Thy  sacred  "  Peace  be  still." 


1 80  S  UN  DA  Y  MORNING, 

Let  no  distracting  cares  this  day, 
From  holier  themes  my  thoughts  beguile, 
As  now  Thy  summons  I  obey, 
"  Turn  ye  aside  and  rest  awhile." 


On  this  great  weekly  Easter-morn 
Faith  leads  me  to  Thy  hallowed  grave, 
To  hear  the  blessed  tidings  borne 
Which  white-robed  angel- watchers  gave; — 


"Why  seek  the  living  'mong  the  dead? 
The  buried  Victor  is  not  here, 
He  has  arisen  as  He  said, 
Come,  see  His  vacant  sepulchre." 


"The  Lord  is  risen  ! "  a  captive  world 
Has  now  its  iron  chains  unbound  ; 
Sin  from  its  despot-throne  is  hurFd, 
Satan  is  vanquished — Death  uncrowned  ! 


SUNDA  V  MORNING.  1 8 1 


Let  cherubim  and  seraphim — 
Let  all  the  ransomed  hosts  on  high, 
Awake  their  loudest  songs  to  Him 
Who  captive  led  captivity. 

The  blessings,  Lord,  be  mine  to  share, 
Thy  resurrection-morn  has  given  : 
And  make  to-day,  Thy  House  of  Prayer 
None  other  tlinn  the  Gate  of  Heaven  I 


(KJjristmas, 


"  And  the?e  were  in  the  sajne  country  she/>Jierds  abiding 
in  the  field,  keeping  watch  over  their  flock  by  night. 
And,  io  1  the  angel  of  tJie  Lord  came  upon  them,  and 
the  glory  of  tJie  Lord  shone  roimd  about  t/iem"  &c.— 
Luke  ii.  8,  9. 

What  are  these  ethereal  strains 
Floating  o'er  Judea's  plains  ? 
Burning  spirits  throng  the  sky, 
With  their  lofty  minstrelsy  ! 
Hark  !  they  break  the  midnight  trance 
With  the  joyous  utterance, 
"Glory  to  God,  and  peace  to  men, 
Christ  is  born  in  Bethlehem  I " 


Quench,  ye  types,  your  feeble  ray, 
Shadows,  ye  may  melt  away  ! 
Prophecy,  your  work  is  done  ; 
Gospel  ages  have  begun. 


CHRISTMAS.  183 


Temple  !  quench  your  altar  fires, 
For  these  radiant  angel-choir3 
To  a  ruined  world  proclaim — 
Christ  is  born  in  Bethlehem  ! 

Pillow' d  is  His  infant  head 

On  a  borrow'd  manger-bed. 

He  around  whose  throne  above 

Angels  hymn'd  their  songs  of  love, 

Now  is  wrapt  by  virgin  hands 

In  earth's  meanest  swaddling  bands  $ 

Once  adored  by  seraphim, 

Now  a  Babe  of  Bethlehem  I 

Eastern  sages  from  afar, 
Guided  by  a  mystic  star, ' 
Follow 'd,  till  its  lustre  mild 
Brought  them  to  the  heav'nly  Child. 
May  each  providence  to  me 
Like  a  guiding  meteor  be, 
Bringing  nearer  unto  Him, 
Once  the  Babe  of  Bethlehem  ! 


Suffering  anlr  Utctorg. 

Passion  Week  and  Easter. 


u  Then  conteth  Jesus  with  them  unto  a  place  called  Geth- 

semane." — Matt.  xxvi.  36. 
"  And  when  tJiey  were  come  to  tJie  place,  which  is  called 

Calvary,  there  they  crucified  Him." — Luke  xxiii.  33. 
"He  sJiall  see   of  the  travail  of  His  soul,  and  shall  be 

satisfied."*'' '—Is a.  liii.  11. 


Come,  the  Great  Prince  of  Sufferers  view, 

As  underneath  its  olives  grey, 
With  the  pale  moonbeams  struggling  through, 

He  wrestled  in  Gethsemane  ! 

His  anguished  soul,  in  horror  hound, 
Sent  up  to  heaven  its  "burdened  cry ; 

Trembling  He  clasped  the  quaking  ground, 
And  blood-drops  told  His  agony  ! 


SUFFERING  AND  VICTORY.  185 

In  that  dread  hour  He  stood  alone, 

His  own  disciples  basely  fled ; 
He  looked  for  pity,  there  was  none, 

For  comforters — uncomforted  ! 


Stretch'd  on  the  cross — the  holts  of  Heaven 
Are  on  the  spotless  Victim  hurl'd ; 

The  rocks  proclaim,  in  fragments  riven, 
u  He  bears  the  burden  of  a  world  ! " 


Around  Him  darkness  spreads  her  pall, 
As  if  creation's  knell  had  rung ; 

The  sun  forbade  its  light  to  fall, 
Where  its  Almighty  Maker  hung. 


In  vain  His  quivering  lips  implored  ; 

"My  God,  my  God  !  "  in  vain  He  cries : 
Justice  unsheaths  her  glittering  sword, 

And  claims  the  bleeding  sacrifice  ! 


1 86  SUFFERING  AND   VICTORY. 

'Tis  done  ! — the  mighty  work  is  done ; 

Messiah  bows  His  thorn-crowned  head ; 
The  fight  is  fought — the  battle  won, 

Captivity  is  captive  led. 

The  Sufferer  once,  the  Victor  now, 
Through  everlasting  years  adored  : 

With  many  crowns  upon  His  brow, 
He  reigns  the  universal  Lord. 

And  counting  o'er  the  muster-roll 
Of  the  Redeemed  for  whom  He  died  ; 

He  sees  the  travail  of  His  soul, 
And  seeing,  He  is  satisfied  I 


(faster. 

"  The  Lord  is  risen  indeed." — Luke  xxiv.  34. 

Hallelujah — raise  the  song, 
"Jesus  Christ  is  risen  ;  " 

Let  the  Church  the  note  prolong, 
"Jesus  Christ  is  risen  !  " 

Her  living  and  triumphant  Head, 

Captivity  has  captive  led, 

And  every  foe  has  vanquished, 

Hallelujah ! 

Hallelujah — let  the  cry, 

"Jesus  Christ  is  risen," 
Wake  each  harpstring  of  the  sky, 

"  Jesus  Christ  is  risen  !  " 
The  sealed  stone  is  rolled  away, 
Death  and  the  grave  have  lost  their  prey, 
For  Jesus  Christ  is  risen  to-day, 

Hallelujah  ! 


FASTER. 

Hallelujah — dry  the  tear, 

1 '  Jesus  Christ  is  risen  ; " 

Sound  o'er  every  silent  bier — 
"Jesus  Christ  is  risen  !  " 

Thrice  blessed  pledge,  ye  mourners  keep, 

Who  for  your  loved  and  lost  ones  weep  ; 

Because  He  lives,  they  only  sleep  ; — 
Hallelujah. ! 


Hallelujah — let  the  sound, 

"Jesus  Christ  is  risen, " 
Circulate  the  world  around, 

"  Jesus  Christ  is  risen  ! " 
Soon  may  the  Earth's  great  Easter  be, 
When,  her  now  bondaged  children  free, 
Exultant,  Lord,  shall  reign  with  Thee, — 
Hallelujah  I 


eHijttsuntias. 


"He  shall  come  down  like  rain  upon  the  mown  grass:  as 
showers  that  water  the  earth." — Ps.  Ixxii.  6. 


Spirit  Divine !  grant  us  Thy  gracious  leadings; 
Come  and  erect  Thy  dwelling  in  each  heart. 
And  while  before  Thee  rise  our  fervent  plead- 
ings, 
More  and    still    more    Thy  promised  aids 
impart. 

Come,  like  the  gentle  dove,  with  olive-token  ; 
Come,  like  the  balmy  wind,  soft  breathing 
peace ; 
Come  to  all  those  whom  sin  has  crushed  and 
broken  ; 
Loose  every  fetter,  and  vouchsafe  release. 


1 90  WHITS  UNDA  Y. 

Come,  like  the  dew  which  on  Mount  Hermon 
falleth ; 
Come,  when  bereavement  dims  the  mourner's 
eye  ; 
Come,   when  "  the  deep  to  deep"  responsive 
calleth  ; 
And  with  Thy  comforts  gem  our  starless  sky. 

Come  to  the  world,    new    life    and    healing 
bringing, 
Cheer  its  parched  souls  with  rills  of  heavenly 
bliss ; 
Make  them  like  willows  by  the  water  spring- 
ing, 
"The  Lord's  own  planting"  —  "  Trees    of 
righteousness." 


.Sccontr  gftfttltt 


"Behold,  He  Cometh  with  clouds  :  and  every  eye  shall  see 
Him,  and  th:y  also  which  pierced  Him:  and  all 
Aindreds  of  tlie  earth  shall  wail  because  of  Him. 
Even  so,  Amen.''''— Rev.  i.  7. 

"He  which  testifeth  these  things  saith,  Surely  I  come 
quickly.  Amen.  Even  so,  come,  Eera  Jesus." — Rev. 
xxii.  20. 

Christ  is  coming  !    Let  creation 
Bid  her  groans  and  travail  cease  ; 

Let  the  glorious  proclamation 

Hope  restore,  and  faith  increase — 

Christ  is  coming, 
Come,  Thou  blessed  Prince  of  Peace  ! 

Earth  can  now  hut  tell  the  story 
Of  Thy  hitter  Cross  and  pain ; 

She  shall  yet  behold  Thy  glory, 

When  Thou  comest  back  to  reign — 
Christ  is  coming, 
Let  each  heart  repeat  the  strain  I 


I92  SECOND   ADVENT, 

Long  Thine  exiles  have  been  pining, 
Far  from  rest,  and  home,  and  Thee  ; 

But,  in  heavenly  vestures  shining, 
Soon  they  shall  Thy  glory  see  ! — 

Christ  is  coming, 
Haste  the  joyous  jubilee  ! 

With  that  " blessed  hope"  before  us, 
Let  no  harp  remain  unstrung ; 

Let  the  mighty  advent-chorus 

Onward  roll  from  tongue  to  tongue  ;- 

Christ  is  coming, 
Come  !  Lord  Jesus, — quickly  come  . 


$olo.  Communion* 

"  This  dc  in  remembrance  of  me." — Luke  xxii.  19. 

Blessed  Feast  !  most  gracious  token 
Of  Thy  dying  love,  0  Lord  ! 

Memorial  of  Thy  body  broken, 

And  Thy  precious  blood  outpoured. 

May  the  holy  rite  partaking 
Help  me  on  my  pilgrim  way  : 

Sin  in  every  shape  forsaking, 
Be  my  vow  afresh  to-day. 

Sacred  pledge,  that  nought  can  sever, 

Blessed  Saviour,  from  Thy  love ; 

Sealed  to  be  Thy  guest  for  ever 

At  the  better  Feast  above  : 

N 


194 


HOLY   COMMUNION. 


"Where,  in  sweet  communion  blending, 
With  the  vast  ingathered  throng, 

Mine  shall  be  a  bliss  unending, 
An  eternal  Festal-song  ! 


S&arbrst  ipn. 


GREAT  God  of  the  harvest, 
Now  waving  around ; 
Who  the  year  with  Thy  bounty- 
Hast  graciously  crowned ! 
0  make  the  glad  season 
More  joyous  to  me, 
By  the  message  of  grace 
Having  brought  me  to  Thee  ! 

On  the  Great  Da}'  of  Judgment, 

"When  sentence  is  passed, 

When  the  bundle  of  tares 

In  the  fire  shall  be  cast ; 

The  wheat  in  the  garner 

Of  glory  is  stored, 

Rejoicing  for  ever 

In  the  bliss  of  the  Lord. 


196 


HARVEST  HYMN. 


No  sheaf  shall  be  missing, 
Nor  lost  he  one  grain, 
In  that  harvest  of  glory- 
When  Christ  comes  again. 
We  now  may  he  reaping 
In  sorrow  and  tears, 
But  cease  shall  our  weeping, 
'When  Jesus  appears. 

Great  Lord  of  the  harvest, 
Now  reigning  above  ! 
Oh,  gather  more  sheaves 
To  the  home  of  Thy  love. 
Ten  thousand  already 
Have  been  reaped  at  Thy  call, 
And  still  there  is  room 
In  Thy  garners  for  all. 


W&t  a&Suffirfencg  of  prist's 
Mr. 


*  And  to  know  the  Io7>e  of  Christy  which  passe th 
knowledge ." — Epk.  iii.  19. 


Jesus,  Immanuel,  Friend  unseen  ! 
Who  often  hast  my  helper  been  ; 
Permit  no  cloud  to  intervene 

Between  me  and  Thy  love. 

If  in  some  dark  and  evil  day 
My  wayward  steps  should  go  astray, 
And  wander  from  the  narrow  way, 
Restore  me  in  Thy  love. 

If  unbefriended  be  my  lot, 
By  some  misjudged,  by  some  forgot, 
Oh,  gracious  One,  who  chaugest  not, 
Bestow  on  me  Thy  love. 


198  ALL-SUFFICIEXCY  OF  CHRISES  LOVE. 

If  Thou  see  meet  to  take  away 
Those  who  have  proved  my  earthly  stay  ; 
Let  this  my  comfort  be — that  they 
Are  resting  in  Thy  love. 

When  on  the  bed  of  death  I  lie, 
The  last  and  closing  moments  nigh, 
To  Thy  bright  home  beyond  the  sky 
Receive  me  in  Thy  love  ! 


©fjere  are  no  ffltatimeljj  ©eatfjs. 


11  There  is    ...     a  time  to  die." — Eccles.  iii.  2. 

"  Th->u  t -truest  man  to  destruction  ;  and  sayesl,  Return, 

ye  children  of  men." — Ps.  xc    3. 
"  Thncst  in  thy  sickle,  and  reap  :  for  the  time  is  come  for 

thee  to  reap  ;  for  the  harvest  of  the  earth  is  ripef — 

Rev.  xiv.  15. 

Let  those  who  make  this  fleeting  earth  their  all, 

And  its  horizon  bound  their  happiness, 

Talk  of  untimely  Graves  I    No  flower  can  drop 

Too  soon,  if  ripe  for  glory.     Early  pluck'd, 

Is  early  bliss.     Tt  only  hastens  Heaven. 

An  early  death-bed  is  an  early  crown. 

If  with  high  festival  we  keep  the  day 

Of  the  frail  body's  entrance  into  life, 

And  earthly  friends  are  gathered  in  to  offer 

Their  joyous  gratulations,  shall  it  be 

With  sighs  we  celebrate  the  natal  hour 

Of  the  undying  spirit,  entering 

A  Sinless,  Deathless,  Sorrowless  ior-ever? 


NO   UNTIMELY  DEATHS. 


How  diverse  Earth  and   Heaven  the  closing 

scene 
Kegard  !     On  Earth,  a  spectacle  of  tears  1 
In  speechless  agony,  each  knee  is  bent 
Around  the  couch,  importunate  for  life, 
While  still  life's  pulses  beat.     In  Heaven,  is 

heard 
An  invocation  also,  from  the  lips 
Of  Mightier  than  mortal  intercessor. 
Immanuel  pleads  :  but  His  is  not  the  prayer 
For  an  extension  of  the  transient  breath  : 
He  pleads  for  life  immortal  as  His  own  : — 
"Father,  I  will,  this  dying  sufferer 
I  have  redeem'd,  be  with  me  where  I  am, 
To  share  the  glory  Thou  hast  given  me." 
His  voice  is  heard  !     Omnipotence  responds — 
"  Son,  Thou  art  ever  with  me,  all  I  have 
Is  Thine."    To  execute  that  gracious  "  Will" 
Eager,  a  glorious  retinue  attend. 
"  Go,  Angels, — speed  ye  to  the  bed  of  death, 
And  bear  the  spirit  home  to  Paradise  !  " 


NO  UNTIMELY  DEATHS. 


Say,    mourner,    wouldst   thou   have  preferr'd, 

that  heard 
Had   been  the   prayer  of    Earth,    or   that   of 

Heaven  ? 
Eternal  bliss  deferred,  or  realised  ? 
The  Cross  continued,  or  the  Kingdom  won  ? 
Warfare  protracted,  or  eternal  rest  ; 
Keep  in  abeyance  selfish  love,  and  say 
Wouldst  thou  arrest  these  bright  celestials, 
As  up  they  bear  their  trophy  to  the  skies  ? 
When  victory  was  bursting  on  his  lips, 
Couldst  thou  recall  the  Pilgrim  to  resume 
The  din  of  battle,  and  the  vale  of  tears  ? 


Wfyttt  is  $cace  JFounti? 


1  The  fence  of  God,  which  passeth  all  understanding, 
shall  keep  your  hearts  and  minds  through  Christ 
Jesus.1 — Phil.  iv.  7. 


While  wandering  still  from  God  and  heaven, 
"With  sin  uncancelled — imforgiven, 

Vain  shall  the  world,  with  syren  voice, 
Bid  the  unpardoned  one  rejoice. 

Where  shall  I  find  a  holy  calm, 

But  in  Thy  blood,  Thou  dying  Lamb  ? 

My  only  hope  of  mercy  lies 
In  Thine  atoning  sacrifice. 

The  world's  temptations  may  assail, 
Its  friendships  cease — its  comforts  fail ; 

But  if  Thy  peace,  dear  Lord,  be  mine, 
All  else  submissive  I  resign. 


WHERE  IS  PEACE  FOUND  ? 


203 


Oh,  let  my  spirit  meekly  rest 

In  whatsoe'er  Thy  love  sees  best ; 

Confiding  in  Thy  sovereign  grace, 
And  trusting  where  I  fail  to  trace. 

Oft,  while  on  earth,  short-sighted  man 
Sees  but  the  half-developed  plan  ; 

But  inner  meanings  now  unknown, 
Shall  be  evolved  before  the  throne  ! 

Lord,  let  Thy  peace  meanwhile  sustain, 
'Mid  mingled  scenes  of  joy  and  pain, 

Till  in  the  fulness  of  Thy  love, 
I  reach  the  Fountain-head  above. 


Z\)t  ©rafoc  of  Brtfjang. 


"  Jesus  ivept.y' — John  xi.  35. 


Who  is  this,  in  silence  bending 
O'er  a  dark  sepulchral  cave? 
Sympathetic  sorrow  blending 

"With  the  tears  around  that  grave  ? 
Christ  the  Lord  is  standing  by, 
At  the  tomb  of  Bethany  ! 

"  Jesus  wept !  " — these  tears  are  over, 

But  His  heart  is  still  the  same. 
Kinsman,  Friend,  and  Elder  Brother, 
Is  His  everlasting  name. 

Saviour  !  who  can  love  like  Thee, 
Gracious  One  of  Bethany  ? 


THE  GRAVE  OF  BETHANY.  205 


When  the  pangs  of  trial  seize  ns, 
When  the  waves  of  sorrow  roll, 
I  will  lay  my  head  on  Jesus, 
Refuge  of  the  troubled  sonl ; 

Surely  none  can  feel  like  Thee, 
Weeping  One  of  Bethany  ! 

"Jesus  wept !  " — and  still  in  glory 

He  can  mark  each  mourner's  tear, 
Loving  to  retrace  the  story 
Of  the  hearts  He  solaced  here. 

Lord  !  when  I  am  called  to  die, 
Let  me  think  of  Bethany  ! 

"Jesus  wept !  " — that  tear  of  sorrow 

Is  a  legacy  of  love, 
Yesterday — to-day — to-morrow — 
He  the  same  doth  ever  prove  : 
Thou  art  all  in  all  to  me, 
Living  One  of  Bethany  ! 


©fcr&fle  Befncntirti. 


'For  He  hath  said,  I  will  never  leave  thee  (lit.  never, 

nez'er),  nor  forsake  thee" — Heb.  xiii.  5. 
i  Lo,  I  am  with  tou  alway,  even    unto   the  end  of  tlu 

world." — Matt,  xxviii.  20. 


Evening  shades  fall  fast  around  me  ; 
Cherished  ones  no  more  surround  me  : 
Gone  for  ever  ! — 

"I  will  never, 
Never  leave  thee  nor  forsake." 

Hushed  are  voices  full  of  gladness. 
Must  I  float  in  lonely  sadness 
Down  Time's  river  ? — 

"I  will  never, 
Never  leave  thee  nor  forsake." 


OLD  AGE  BEFRIENDED. 


207 


Earth's  most  treasured  joys  may  perish ; 
From  each  gourd  I  fondly  cherish 
Death  may  sever  ! — 

* '  I  will  never, 
Never  leave  thee  uor  forsake." 


GTije  JFountatn  of  Sal&atton. 


"In  th'it  day  there  shall  be  a  fountain  opened  to  the  house 
of  David,  and  to  tJie  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem,  for 
sin  and  for  uncleanness? — Zkch.  xiii.  i. 

11  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labour  and  are  heavy  laden^ 
arid  I  will  give  you  rest." — Matt.  xi.  28. 

"And  let  him  that  is  a  thirst  come.  And  whosoever  will, 
let  him  take  the  water  of  life  freely ." — Rev.  audi.  17. 


Hark  !  what  distant  heavenly  chorus 
Wakes  the  echoes  of  the  sky  ? 

What  bright  spirits  these  before  us 
Throng  the  blissful  realms  on  high  ? 

Once  they  were  in  tribulation, 
Sin  obscured  their  bright  array, 

Till  the  Fountain  of  Salvation 
"Wash'd  their  guilty  stains  away. 


THE  FOUNTAIN  OF  SALVA  TION 


209 


Still  that  Fountain,  full  as  ever, 

All  alike  arc  free  to  share  ; 
Nor  can  guilty  sinners  ever 

Come  too  heavy  laden  there. 

Come  !  all  ye  whose  souls  are  dreary, 

Toss'd  with  fears,  with  doubts  distress'd  \ 
.  Here  is  shelter  for  the  weary, 
To  the  heavy-laden  rest. 

Lord,  we  come  !  let  none  be  wanting ; 

By  Thy  grace  our  souls  redeem  ; 
Like  the  hart  for  water  panting, 

All  would  drink  the  sacred  stream. 

We  come  !  to  hear  the  joyous  story, 
And  to  wash  our  garments  white  ; 

Free  to  all  these  realms  of  glory, 
Endless  day  which  knows  no  night ! 


Bonus  pastor. 


tlI  am  the  good  shepherd,  and  know  my  sheep,  and  am 

known  oj  mine" — John  x.  14. 
" I am  the  living  bread  which  came  down  from  heaven: 

if  any  man  eat  of  this  bread,  he  shall  live  for  ever"— 

John  vi.  51. 


' '  Bone  Pastor — panis  vere, 
Jesu,  nostri  miserere, 
Tu  nos  pasce,  nos  tuere  ; 
Tu  nos  bona  fac  videre, 

In  terra  viventium. 


Tu,  qui  cuncta  scis  et  vales, 
Qui  nos  pascis  hie  mortales, 
Tuos  ibi  commensales 
C0ha3red.es  et  sodales 

Fac  sanctorum  civium." 

Thomas  Aquinas. 


(Free  translation. ) 

Good  and  tender  Shepherd,  hear  us  ! 
Bread  of  Heaven,  in  love  come  near  us  I 
Feed  us,  lead  us,  and  defend  us  ; 
Make  us  see  whate'er  Thou  send  us, 
In  the  land  of  earthly  living, 
Is  Thy  wise  and  gracious  giving ! 

Thou  who  feed'st  us  here  as  mortals, 
Ordering  all  things  that  befall  us, 
Safe  within  celestial  portals, 
Oh  !  at  last  in  mercy  call  us. 

Take  us  to  the  realms  of  love, 
Fold  us  with  Thy  flock  above, 
Let  the  peerless  name  be  given, 
"  Heirs  and  denizens  of  Heaven  ! " 


Hife  anti  ©eatfj. 


"  We  spend  our  years  as  a  tale  that  is  told." — Ps.  xc.  9. 
"  With  long  life  will  I  satisfy  him  and  show  him   my 
saljation." — Ps.  xci.  16. 


How  long  have  I  to  live  ? 

Are  threescore  years  and  ten 
All  that  this  life  can  give  ? 
Poor  passing  tale — and  then, 

To  DIE  ! 


How  long  have  I  to  die  ? 

A  moment's  pang — no  more ; 
And  then,  to  yonder  sky 
Mounting,  for  evermore 

To  LIVE  I 


(Comfort  ge." 


Cod's  latest  messages  of  comfort  to  His  Church  by  the 
mouth  of  the  Prophet  Isaiah. 


"Comfort ye,  comfort  ye  mv  f>eofle,  saith  your  God"— 

ISA.   xl.    I. 


94  Comfort  ye,  comfort  ye,"  thus  saith  thy 

God  to  thee, — 
Comfort    my  people,    and    "  speak    to   their 

heart "  *  (xl.  1,  2) ; 
Though  the  hills  may  he  shaken,  the  mountains 

removed  he, 
Love  such  as  mine  cannot  change  or  depart 

(liv.  10). 

"Comfort  ye,  comfort  ye,"  lift  up  your 

eyes  and  see 
Who  hath  created  these  star-hosts  so  "bright ; 

*  Marginal  rendering. 


214  "  COMFORT  YE." 

Each  name  of  the  glittering  phalanx  is  called 

by  me ; 
Marshalled  their  ranks  by  the  word  of  my 

might  (xl.  26). 

Why,  then,  0  Israel,  faithless  and  craven  be, 
Doubting  my  power,  and  distrusting  my  grace  ? 

(xl.  27). 
On  the  palms   of  my  hands,    I  have,    Zion, 

engraven  thee ; 
Nothing  can  ever  thine  image  efface  (xlix.  16). 

"Comfort  ye,  comfort  ye,"  mothers  untrue 

may  be, 
Instincts,  most  sacred,  may  wither  and  die 

(xlix.  15), 
Or  the  tongue,  by  the  cradle  which  sang  its 

fond  lullaby, 
Silent  in  death's  gloomy  regions  may  lie  ; — 

But  ne'er  shall  my  requiem,    "  COMFORT  YE, 
COMFORT  YE," 

Cease  to  resound  o'er  the  death-stricken  heart, 


'COMFORT  YE; 


215 


( )r  fail  in  its  mission  with  those  who  in  sorrow 

be, 
Peace,  consolation,  and  joy  to  impart  (xlix.  15  ; 

lvii.  IS,  19). 

"Comfort  ye,  comfort  ye,"  tell  forth  that 

none  can  be 
Left  uninvited  the  blessing  to  share  (Iv.  1) ; 
For  a  welcome  is  waiting  to  all  who  repair  to 

me — 
Rest  in  my  love,  and  a  home  in  my  care. 

"Comfort  ye,  comfort  ye,"  wide  let  the 

message  flee, 
Say  unto  Zion,   "Thy  God  on  high  reigns" 

(Hi.  7), 
Proclaim  to  all  nations,  l  Messiah  has  come  to 

free 
Captives    from    prison    and    bondsmen    from 

chains'  (xlii.  7  ;  lxi.  1). 


216  "comfort  ye. 

'•Comfort  ye,  comfort  ye," soon  shall  these 

Avoids  to  tliee, 
(Words  for  the  weeping)  be  needed  no  more  : 
Soon  from  earth's  willow-tree  taken  thy  harp 

shall  be — 
Taken    and    tuned    for    the  joys    evermore ! 

(lxv.  18,  19). 


£  BHamfofl  BrII. 


1  To-day,  after  so  long  a  time  ;  as  it  is  said,  To-day  if  ye 
will  Jtcar  His  voice,  harden  not  your  hearts." — Haa. 
iv.  7. 


"To-day,  if  ye  win  hear  His  voice," — 
Who  would  not  listen  and  rejoice  ? 
"  To-day  [after  so  long  a  time)  " — 
Thus  mercy  ringeth  her  golden  chime. 
So  long  a  time  monitions  given  ; 
So  long  a  time  my  Spirit  striven; 
By  mercies  present,  mercies  fled, 
Gourds  "blossoming  or  withered  ; 
By  voices  living, — voices  dumb, — 
By  jubilant  or  muffled  drum  ; 
By  warnings  of  my  chastening  hand, 
Effaced  like  writing  on  the  sand  : 
Why  still  reject  my  offered  grace  ? 
Why  still  pursue  life's  phantom  chase? 


2l8  A   WARNING  BELL, 

Oh,  listen,  scorners,  while  I  call 
Amidst  earth's  giddy  carnival  : — 
Still  is  forgiveness  in  your  choice  : 
"To-day,  if  ye  will  hear  my  voice  ; 
To-day  (after  so  long  a  time)  " — 
Thus  mercy  ringeth  her  golden  chime. 

To-morrow  !     No  !  you  cannot  tell ! 

To-morrow  !  it  may  toll  your  knell ! 

To-morrow  !  it  may  come  with  ire, 

With  seated  Judge  and  flaming  fire  ! 
"  Tell  me,  watchman,  what  of  the  night  ? " 

"The  shadows  are  dimming  in  evening 
light; 

The  portals  of  death  are  looming  in  sight ; 

Hasten,  oh,  hasten  life's  winter  flight !  " 
While  yet  there  is  hope — while  yet  there  is 

time ; 
Ere  mercy  be  ringing  her  farewell  chime  :  — 
"To-day,  if  ye  will  hear  His  voice," 
Arise  !  Repent,  Believe,  Rejoice  ! 


€§£  13cst  JFrimlJ. 


"Whom  hive  I  in  heaven  but  Theet  arid  there  is  none 
upon  earth  that  I  desire  besides  Thee-  My  fiesh  and 
my  heart  faileth  :  but  God  is  the  strength  of  my  heart 
and  >uy  portion  for  ever ;" — Ps.  Ixxiii.  25,  26. 

"Lo,  I  am  with  you  aizuay,  even  to  the  end  of  the  world" 
— Matt,  xxviii.  20. 


Blessed  Saviour,  to  defend  me 
None  I  have  compared  with  Thee ; 

None  so  willing  to  befriend  me, 
Thou  art  all  in  all  to  me. 

In  the  past,  Thy  grace  unfailing 
Hath  sustained  me,  hour  "by  hour ; 

Over  every  foe  prevailing, 

Vanquishing  the  tempter's  power. 


220  THE  BEST  FRIEND. 

Still  upon  Thine  arm  relying, 
On  my  heavenly  way  I  hold  ; 

Keep  the  smouldering  flame  from  dying, 
Keep  my  love  frGin  waxing  cold. 

What  is  life  ?  a  scene  of  troubles, 
Following  swiftly,  one  hy  one, 

Phantom  visions — airy  "bubbles, 
Which  appear  and  then  are  gone  ! 

What  at  best  the  world's  vain  fashion  ? 

Quickly  it  must  pass  away  : 
Vexing  care  and  whirlwind  passion 

Surging  like  the  angry  spray. 

Friends  may  fail  and  bonds  may  sever; 

Cherished  refuges  may  fall ; 
But  Thy  friendship  is  for  ever, — 

It  survives  the  wreck  of  all 


ffltoficltef  IXefruftctr. 


'*  Who  is  among  you  that  feareth  the  Lord,  that  obeyeth 
tJie  voice  of  His  servant,  that  walketh  in  darkness* 
and  hath  710  light  t  let  him  trust  in  the  name  of  tJie 
Lord,  and  stay  upon  his  Cod." — Isa.  1.  10. 

"  But  they  that  wait  upon  the  Lord  shall  renew  their 
strength;  tltey  shall  mount  up  with  wings  as  eagles  ; 
they  shall  run  and  not  be  weary  J  and  they  shall  walkt 
and  not  fault." — Isa.  xl.  31. 


Why,  faithless  soul,  with  drooping  wings, 

To  unbelief  make  base  surrender, 
When  each  returning  morning  brings 
Proofs  of  God's  love  so  vast  and  tender? 

Though  thou  may'st  weary  grow  of  Him, 
His  love  to  thee  can  ne'er  grow  dim. 

Though  now,  perchance,  His  gracious  'ace 
Veil  for  a  time  its  former  shining. 


222  UNBELIEF  REBUKED, 

Yet  trust  Him  where  thou  canst  not  trace, 
Clouds  yet  will  have  their  silver  lining ; 
The  sun  which  midday  storms  enfold, 
Will  set  in  amethyst  and  gold. 

Up  !  up  !  with  eagle  pinion  rise, 

Nor  seek  to  pause  on  perch  inglorious, 
Till  in  the  blue  of  heavenward  skies, 
O'er  every  cloud  and  storm  victorious, 
You  come,  with  eye  no  longer  dim, 
To  fold  your  wings  with  seraphim. 


HL\)C  Sonof  of  tfjc  ftcocrmco  in 
Sjcabcu. 


1 And  after  these  things  I  heard  a  great  voice  of  muck 
People  in  heaven,  saying,  Alleluia." — Rev.  xix.  i. 

'And  I  beheld,  and  I  heard  the  voice  of  many  a?igels 
round  about  the  throne,  and  the  beasts,  and  the  elders  ; 
and  the  number  of  tJiem  zvas  ten  thousand  tunes  ten 
thousand,  and  thousands  of  thousands  :  Saying,  with 
a  loud  voice,  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain." — 
Rev.  v.  ii,  is. 


'Tis  done — the  world's  long  night  is  o'er ; 
At  last  is  reach'd  the  long'd-for  shore, 

Life's  transient  tale  is  told  ; 
The  Crystal  City  bursts  on  sight, 
With  gates  of  pearl  and  sapphire  bright, 

And  streets  of  purest  gold  ! 


224  THE  SONG  OF  THE 


One  theme  each  angel-bosom  fires, 
The  thunder  of  the  myriad  choirs 

The  anthem-peals  prolong ; 
No  wearied  frame,  no  languid  eye 
Suspends  the  swelling  minstrelsy 

Of  the  exultant  throng. 

Enthroned  in  bowers  of  glistening  light, 
With  crowns  of  gold,  and  robes  of  white, 

And  wreaths  of  fadeless  palm  ; 
Down  at  His  feet  each  crown  is  flung, 
And  onward  rolls  from  tongue  to  tongue, 

"  All-worthy  is  the  Lamb  ! " 

But  of  the  myriads  round  the  throne, 
The  ransorrfd  multitudes  alone 

Take  up  the  chorus  strain  ! 
With  bounding  hearts  they  sweep  their  strings, 
And  thus  each  blood-bought  sinner  sings, 

"The  Lamb  FOR  US  was  slain  ! 


REDEEMED  IN  FIE  A  VEN.  225 

"  All  blessing,  honour,  glory,  power, 
Redound  to  Him  for  evermore, 

From  all  the  hosts  of  heaven  : 
The  Prince  of  Life  who  once  was  slain  ; 
Who  through  eternal  years  shall  reign, 

To  Him  all  praise  be  given  !  " 

And  higher  still  their  palms  they  wave, 
And  deeper  in  the  ocean  lave 

Of  Heavenly  bliss  divine  ! 
But  ne'er  the  plummet  can  be  found, 
By  which,  0  Lamb  of  God,  to  sound 

Such  depths  of  love  as  Thine  ! 


€ty  Bag  Breaftetfj, 


'  And  He  said,  Let  me  go,  for  the  day  breaketh.  And  he 
said,  I  will  not  let  Thee  go,  except  Thou  bless  me"— 
Gen.  xxxii.  26. 


"Let  me  go  !  the  day  is  breaking ! " 
Christ  and  His  salvation  taking  : 
Christ  my  only  portion  making : 
Every  other  trust  forsaking. 
Oh,  amid  last  thunders  quaking, 
Earth  and  hills'  foundations  shaking, 
Grant  me,  Lord,  a  joyful  waking. 
In  this  hope  of  life  partaking, 
"  Let  me  go,  the  day  is  breaking." 


W$t  JFmal  Erst 


•4  Thy  sun  shall  no  more  go  down  ;  neither  shall  thy  moon 
withdraw  itself;  for  the  Lord  shall  be  thine  ever- 
lasting light ',  and  the  days  of  iky  mourning  shall  be 
ended" — Is  a.  lx.  20. 

"  There  remaineth  therefore  a  rest  to  tlie  people  of  God." 
— Hfc.B.  iv.  9. 


The  eventide  is  past : 
Past  is  life's  sunset  hour  • 
No  more  do  tempests  lower  ; 
No  more  are  skies  o'ercast. 

Thenceforth  the  Lord  shall  be 
Thine  everlasting  light : 
Before  His  sunshine  bright, 
The  mists  of  earth  shall  flee. 


22S  THE   FIXAL    REST. 

The  vale  of  sorrow  trod, 
The  Shepherd  ever  nigh, 
The  flock  shall  pasture  high 
Upon  the  hills  of  God  ! 

No  more  shall  wane  thy  moon, 
Nor  pale  thy  sun  its  light ; 
In  day  which  knows  no  night ; 
One  never-ending  noon ! 


IN  MEMORIAM. 


hi  ftfcmortam: 

The  Prince  Consort.    Balmoral,  14th  Dec.  1861. 


Go  silence  your  pibrochs ;   go  sound  the  wild 

coronach ; 
Wail  loudest  dirges  o'er  mountain  and  vale  : 
The   Chief  of   our  chieftains  lies  silent  and 

shrouded, 
The  Prince  of  the  land,  and  the  pride  of  the 

Gael! 

This  morning  our  hill-tops  were  gloomy  with 
mist- clouds, 

They  curtained  each  crag,  and  then  melted  in 
rain  : 

It  was  Nature  attired  in  her  garments  of  sack- 
cloth, 

And  weeping  for  him  she  shall  ne'er  see  again. 


232  IW  MEMO R 1AM  : 

Ye  dumb  mountain  mourners,  how  fondly  he 

loved  you  ! 
In  glory  of  sunshine  or  grandeur  of  gloom  : 
Your    carpets    of    heather,    your    jungles    of 

bracken, 
The  plumes  of  your  rock-pines,  the  gold  of 

your  broom ! 

Begin  the  plaint  moaning,  ye  forests  of  Athole  \ 
For  yours  are  the  conies  his  eyes  first  beheld  : 
Let  it  sigh  through  the  glens  of  the  Garry  and 

Tummel, 
The  straths  of    Breadalbane  —  the  woods  of 

Dunkeld. 

Grampian  heights  echo  it!     Bold  Ben-muich- 

dhui ; 
BenDearg,  Ben-e-vrackie,  and  lone  Ben-y-Gloe; 
Schehallion,    respond    to    the    wail    of    Ben- 

Voirlich, 
Till  it  die  far  away  in  the  wilds  of  Glencoe. 


THE    PRINCE    CONSORT.  233 

Come,  Dee's  gentle  waters,  and  lend  your  soft 

music, 
As  plaintive  ye  flow  through  the   forests  of 

Mar  ; 
"While  louder  your  dirges,  ye  torrents  of  Muick, 
Your  tribute-grief  "bringing  from  loved  Loch- 

nagar. 

Garrawalt,  pour  out  your  thunder  of  tear- 
drops ; 

The  rainbow  forbid  to  encircle  your  spray  : 

More  fitting,  by  far,  are  the  wrack  and  the 
driftwood, 

Which  chafe  in  each  eddy  and  cauldron 
to-day  ! 

Take  up  the  coronach,  cottage  and  clachan  ; 
Shepherd's    lone     shieling    on    mountain    or 

moor  ; 
For  he  whom  we  moum-had  alike  ever  ready 
A  word  for  the  great  and  a  smile  for  the  poor. 


234  IN  MEM0R1AM  ; 

Sad  change !     Oh,  how  lately  these  heights 

that  surround  me 
Were  silvered  with  birches  or  purple    with 

bloom  : 
To-day,  the  moist  winds  seem  to  sob  all  around 

me, 
And  load  the  bared  tresses  with  tears  for  his 

tomb ! 

How  recent  the   Castle-halls  rang  with  the 

bagpipe, 
As  mustered  his  gillies  in  pride  to  display, 
By  long  Autumn's  "gloamin',"  or  weird  blaze 

of  torchlight, 
The  spoils  Balloch-buie  had  yielded  each  day  ! 

The  stag-hounds,  unheeded,  now  bay  in  their 

kennels ; 
The  torch-light  no  longer  shall  redden  the  hills ; 
The  wild  deer  may  slumber  in  peace  in  their 

corries, 
Or  drink  undisturbed  at  their  lone  mountain  rills. 


THE    PRINCE    CONSORT.  235 

He  lived  not  in  times  when  our  bale-fires  were 

lighted  ; 
When  yelled  forth  the  war-pipes  o'er  moorland 

and  glade ; 
The  fiery  cross  carried  from  hamlet  to  hamlet, 
And  shieling  and  homestead  in  ashes  were  laid. 


Not  his  were  the  lips  that  could  sound  the 

fierce  slogan, 
When  claymore    met    broadsword    in    battle 

array ; 
"When  chieftain  and  clansmen  stood  shoulder 

to  shoulder, 
Impatient  to  join  in  the  heat  of  the  fray. 

Far    nobler    his    mission,    far    grander    his 

triumphs ; 
Their  glories  unreckoned  by  booty  and  slain  ; 
The  battle  with  wrong,  and  the  conquest  of 

baseness, 
The  proudest  of  trophies — a  life  without  stain. 


236  IN  MEMORIAM. 

We  wail  for  the  dead, — but  we  wail  for  the 

living ; 
Great  God  of  the  mourner !  with  Thee  do  we 

plead 
For  the  heart  that  is  broken  with  anguish 

unspoken  ; 
Alone  in  her  greatness, — "a  widow  indeed  !" 


For  her  are  the  dirges — for  her  the  wild  coro- 
nach— 

For  her  we  may  weep  till  our  eyes  become  dim : 

But  with  our  thoughts  centred  on  the  bliss  he 
has  entered, 

All  tears  may  be  dried  that  are  falling  for  him  ! 


In  jjHemortam: 

Ihe  Fallen  Flower.  J.  H .  1838.  Aged 12. 


''My  Beloved  is  gone  down  into  His  garden  .   .  •    to 

gcther  lilies" — Sol.  Song  vi.  2. 

Whtn  the  fruit  is  ripe^  immediately  He  j>utteth  in  the 
sickle" — Mark  iv.  29. 


Why  weep  for  the  beautiful  flower, 

As  if  premature  pluck'd  away? 
Survived  had  its  blossoms  that  hour, 

It  had  lived,  but  had  lived  to  decay. 

But  now  it  has  left  this  cold  scene, 

To  blossom  in  regions  above, 
"Where  no  storms,  where  no  clouds  intervene, 

To  darken  the  sunshine  of  love. 


238  THE   FALLEN  FLOWER. 

The  rose  in  the  garden  that  falls, 
Has  its  vacant  place  filled  up  again ; 

No  gap  in  the  branches  recalls 
That  a  transient  blank  had  e'er  been. 

Not  so  with  the  hearts  that  bewail 
The  blight  of  the  tender  home -flower  1 

No  subsequent  leaves  can  avail 
To  fill  its  missed  place  in  the  bower  I 

Oh,  happy, — thrice  happy  the  time, 
When  again  we  shall  meet,  ne'er  to  sever ; 

With  that  f»owftr  in  that  happier  clime, 
To  bask  in  bright  sunshine  for  ever ! 


In  IHcmoriam: 

Thomas  Guthrie,  D.D.     Funeral  Day 
March  1873. 


u  A  Prince  in  Israel  and  great  man  has  fallen," 
Loved  and  revered  by  peasant  and  by  peer ; 

No  pompous  rites — no  hired  minstrels  call  in  : 
A  mourning  nation  gathers  round  his  bier. 

On  comes  the  funeral  car  !  All  heads  uncover 
Down  the  long  surging  crowd  which  line  the 
way ; 

With  bated  breath  each  whispers  to  the  other— 
"  A  prince  and  great  man  fallen  has  to-day !  '* 

By  whom  shall    best  the  funeral    hymn  be 
chanted  ? 

Who  on  his  sod  shall  lay  the  immortelle  ? 
Shall  some  cathedral's  chancel-choir  be  wanted, 

And  courtly  fingers  strew  the  mute  farewell? 


240  IN  MEMORIAM  : 

No!  Call  the  "Arabs"  of  his  much-loved  city, 
Those  once  of  ragged  dress  and  weary  limb — 

The  outcasts  who  engrossed  his  manly  pity  ; 
No  surpliced  choristers  so  dear  to  him. 

Still  are  his  words  of  burning  pathos  ringing  : 
Who  can  forget  the  magic  of  their  power  ? 

New  strength  imparting — fresh  resolves  up- 
bringing 
That  long  survived  the  fleeting  Sabbath  hour. 

He's  gone !  yet  not,  with  folded  wing  inglorious, 
To  cease  his  loves  and  labours  in  the  skies ; 

But  to  still  nobler  heights  to  soar  victorious, 
New  wastes  reclaim— new  worlds  evangelise. 

Lay  him  to  slumber  full  of  years,  and  hoary, 
Where  rests  his   chief   with   chieftains  all 
around ; 
No  mighty  minster  with  its  sculptured  story, 
Garners  such  dust  as   does  that  hallowed 
ground. 


THOMAS   GUTHRIE,  D.D.  24 1 

He  needs  no  funeral  bell  from  tower  or  steeple, 
No  salvo  loud,  no  roll  of  muffled  drain  ; 

His  panegyric  is  a  mourning  people, 
His  unhired  minstrel — wailing  Christendom. 

To    the    loved    turf,    baptized    to-day    with 
weeping, 

No  age  will  cease  its  tribute -tear  to  bring. 
This  choice  "  God's  Acre  "  is  in  angel-keepmg  ; 

Leave  him  to  slumber,  "  every  inch  a  king." 


Q 


In  jUUmoriam: 

A.  M.  ob  :  1866.     [Dedication  Lines.]  * 


These  to  life's  oldest — latest  guide ; 
Translated  to  an  early  crown  ; 
Whose  sun,  while  yet  'tv,  as  day,  went  down, 
Ere  fell  the  shades  of  eventide. 

In  worth  of  heart,  and  wealth  of  brain, 
In  all  that  noble  was  and  pure — 
All  that  is  destined  to  endure, 
I  ne'er  shall  see  his  like  again. 


*  These  lines  may  fittingly  introduce  the  verses  which 
follow  on  the  succeeding  pages.  The  latter  may  be  ac- 
ceptable to  not  a  few  who  prized  the  worth  of  a  life  of  rare 
unselfishness  and  consecration.  They  were  found,  with 
several  others,  in  a  MS.  volume  of  poetry,  secular  and 
sacred  ;  the  contents  of  which  had  evidently  formed  the 
recreation  of  leisure  moments.     One  of  each  kind  is  given. 


AV  MEMOK1AM,  243 

For  long  retains  the  western  sky 
The  vanished  orb's  resplendent  hue  ; 
In  gleaming  memories,  ever  new, 
That  life  survives.     It  ^cannot  die. 

This  tribute  of  most  sacred  love 

I  lay  upon  his  honoured  bier  ; 

Jf  I  could  do  it,  not  a  tear 

Would  weep  him  from  his  bliss  above. 

'Tis  better  far  to  be  with  Him, 
Whose  work  gave  zest  to  life  while  here  ; 
Oh,  grudge  him  not  the  wider  sphere, 
The  Brotherhood  with  Seraphim  ! 


Jfea&eHej    &  Urgcnti  of  $)roucnce. 

Ax  aged  man,  with  tresses  grey, 
"Whose  eyes  bespoke  familiar  tears, 
"With  trembling  lips  poured  forth  this  lay 
To  sympathising  ears  : — 

1  Oh  !  many  a  sweet  beguiles  the  bee 
In  gay  Provence's  lovely  bowers, 
And  roses  garland  many  a  tree 

Entwined  with  fragrant  flowers. 

In  light  festoons,  the  clustering  vine 
O'ercanopies  the  sylvan  glade, 
And  countless  flow'rets  gaily  shine 
Beneath  its  graceful  shade. 

The  hum  of  glittering  insect  wing 
"Wakes  music  in  these  fairy  groves, 
And  nightingales  delight  to  sing, 
In  silvery  notes,  their  loves  ! 


A    LEGEND    OF  PROVENCE.  245 

I've  seen  that  land  of  beauty  dressed 
In  radiant  summer's  mantle  green, 
And  oft  does  pensive  memory  rest 
Upon  each  witching  scene  I 


But  sacred  above  all  the  themes, 
On  which  in  lonely  hours  I  dwell, 
Is  she  whose  image  haunts  my  dreams— 
The  gentle  Isabelle  I 


Oft  had  I  blessed  the  path  T  took 
That  led  me  to  her  cottage  door ; 
Methought  it  wore  a  hallowed  look 
I  ne'er  had  seen  before. 


The  aged  father  welcomed  me 
Within  his  humble,  peaceful  cot, 
And  bade  his  duteous  daughter  see 
My  wants  were  not  forgot. 


246  is  a  belle: 


"Oh  yes,"  she  answered,  "father  dear, 
I'll  make  a  fragrant  flowery  bed, 
And  welcome  is  the  stranger  here 
To  rest  his  weary  head." 


Away  she  tripped,  with  noiseless  tread, 
As  if  some  Heavenly  Being  fair 
Had  left  the  regions  of  the  dead 

To  dwell  with  mortals  there. 


I  gazed  upon  the  spot,  where  she 
Had  nimbly  vanished  from  my  sight, 
The  old  man  marked  my  ecstasy 

And  smiled  with  fond  delight. 


"  Thou'rt  right,"  he  said,  in  accents  mild — 
"  Yes,  by  my  troth,  thou  judgest  well, 
She  is  indeed  a  blessed  child 
My  darling  Isabelle  ! 


A    LEGEND   OF  PROVENCE.  247 

"She  is  my  sole  surviving  friend, 
All  other  joys  from  me  are  fled  ; 
And  she  alone  is  left,  to  tend 
Her  aged  father's  head  : 


"  The  angel  of  my  closing  years, 

In  undeserved  mercy  given, 

To  o-uide,  amid  this  Vale  of  tears, 

My  feeble  steps — to  heaven  ! " 


Oft  I  recall  the  guileless  joy 

In  which  that  summer  glided  by  ! 

As  cloudless  as  the  canopy 

Of  fair  Provence's  sky. 

The  hour  of  prayer  together  spent, 
Adoring  Him  in  accents  meet, 
When  with  united  hearts  we  bent 
Before  the  Mercy-seat ! 


248  IS  A  BELLE  : 


Who  can  describe  the  hymn  of  praise, 
Its  soft  and  silvery  sweetness  tell, 
Poured  from  her  lips  in  holiest  lays 
As  evening  shadows  felL 


How  shall  I  paint  the  thornless  bliss 
In  which  the  fleeting  hours  went  past, 
Mid  joys — in  such  a  world  as  this — 
Too  exquisite  to  last  ? 

Methinks  I  see  the  trembling  tear 
Which  stole  from  eyes  unused  to  sorrow, 
When  first  I  whispered  in  her  ear, 

"  We  part— upon  the  morrow  ! " 


The  old  man  raised  his  withered  head, 
And  gazed  upon  the  azure  sky  : 
Then — "Fare  thee  well  cm^7e,"  he  said, 
"We  vet  shall  meet — on  high  ! " 


A    LEGEND    OF   PROVENCE.  249 

"Nay — speak  not  thus,  my  father  dear, 
But  one  short  year  away  " — and  then, 
"Make  promise — thou  wilt  wander  here, 
And  visit  us  again. 


"Daily  I'll  watch  thy  favourite  vine 
Put  forth  its  verdant  shade  of  leaves, 
And  train  its  tendrils  to  entwine 
And  trellis  all  the  eaves. 


"  Fondly  I'll  note,  when  budding  flowers 
O'erhang  thy  favourite  window-seat ; — 
And  eager  count  the  passing  hours 
Until,  at  length,  ice  'meet ! 


"  Oh,  quickly  speed  thee  hack  again  ! 
And  now,"  she  cried,  "a  fond  farewell! 
Soon  will  a  year  elapse  :— till  then 
Remember  Isabelle  !  " 


250  IS  A  BELLE  : 

Even  now,  metliinks,  her  parting  words, 
As  if  prolonged  by  magic  spell, 
Still  vibrate  on  my  spirit's  chords  : 
"  Bemember  Isahelle  !  " 


The  tedious  years  at  length  went  past  2 
Again  I  reached  a  foreign  shore  : 
With  joyful  steps,  I  trode  at  last 
Provence's  soil  once  more. 

I  stood  upon  a  vine-clad  spot 
O'erhanging  yon  romantic  dell, 
Where  stands  the  lone  sequestered  cot 
That  sheltered  Isabelle. 

The  balmy  breath  of  summer  eve 
(Exhaled  from  many  a  fragrant  flower), 
Seemed  to  my  fancy  to  receive 

Fresh  sweetness  in  that  hour. 


A    LEGEND    OF  PROVENCE.  25 1 

With  eager  steps,  I  culled  a  flower, 
And  quickly  cleared  the  briery  brake, 
"And  Jiere,"  said  I,  "  we'll  form  a  bower 
Beside  that  fairy  lake." 


What  though  the  gathering  clouds  at  last 
Were  shrouding  all  the  sunset  sky, 
And  evening's  hues  were  yielding  fast 
To  the  fair  moon  on  high  ? 


I  knew  the  scenes  of  former  days, 

Familiar  every  nook  to  me  ; 

The  names  of  all  the  friendly  fays 

That  owned  each  haunted  tree  ! 


Each  blooming  plant  that  smiled  around, 
Each  ivied  root — eacli  grassy  swell ; 
"For  oft  I've  trode  the  hallowed  ground 
With  her  I  loved  so  well. 


252  ISABELLE, 


"  The  rose-slip  on  the  churchyard  wall 
Has  now  become  a  verdant  tree, 
The  orange-plants  are  now  grown  tall, 
Can  time  have  altered  thee  ? 

"Oh  yes,"  methought,    " thine   eye  will 

show 
A  deeper  shade  of  heavenly  blue, 
Thy  cheek  will  have  a  ruddier  glow — 
Tinged  with  a  brighter  hue. 

"Thy  hair  in  richer  tresses  shine, 
Thy  voice  have  lost  its  childish  tone ; 
But  still,  thy  faithful  heart  is  mine — 
My  beautiful !  my  own !  " 

I  trode  the  path  along  the  dell, 

Down  by  the  spreading  churchyard  tree, 

Beneath  whose  shade  my  Isabelle 

First  pledged  her  troth  to  me  ! 


A    LEGEND    OF   PROVENCE.  253 

I  passed  the  holy  precincts,  where 
Her  sainted  mother's  ashes  lay  : 
The  moonlight  cold  was  shaded  there, 
Across  my  grave-strewn  way. 

On  new-laid  turf,  with  daisies  fair, 
The  chilly  moonbeams  gently  fell : 
But  what !  oh ! — what  was  graven  there! 
"  Remember  Isabelle  ! " ' 


Zo  a  fHotfjer,  on  tfje  Qratfj  of 
an  onlg  ©aucjfjter* 


She  is  in  Heaven  ! — That  thought  alone 
Should  chase  the  grief  which  clouds  thy  brow. 
'TVas  said  from  her  Redeemer's  throne, 
My  Glory  enter  thom 

She  is  in  Heaven  ! — lest  earthly  love, 
So  sweet,  so  strong  as  hers  and  thine, 
To  both  might  too  attractive  prove, 
Displacing  Love  Divine, 

She  is  in  Heaven  ! — but  still  unseen 
With  hers  thy  notes  of  praise  may  blend ; 
On  the  same  Rock  thy  soul  may  lean, 
To  the  same  Centre  tend. 


TO    A    MOTHER,    ETC.  255 

She  is  in  Heaven  ! — a  gleaming  star, 
To  cheer  thee  in  thy  daikened  lot, 
And  guide,  'mid  joys  which  fleeting  are, 
To  One  who  changeth  not. 

She  is  in  Heaven  ! — at  times  when  prone 

To  mourn  the  race  so  early  run  ; 

A  white-robed  saint  before  the  Throne 

Whispers — "The  prize  is  won." 

She  is  in  Heaven  ! — has  reached  ere  noon 

In  safety  yon  celestial  shore  ; 

And  oh  !  the  bliss  to  meet  her  soon — 

"Not  lost,  but  gone  before ." 


256  LINES. 

[The  following  lines  are  from  the  same  pen,  written  on 
the  tiile-page  of  the  MS.  -volume  referred  to.  ] 

Calm  sleeps  the  sea,  when  storms  are  o'er, 
With  bosom  silent  and  serene  ; — 
And  but  the  plank  upon  the  shore 
Reveals  what  wrecks  have  been  ! 
So,  some  frail  leaves  like  these  may  be 
Left  floating  on  Time's  silent  tide ; 
The  sole  remaining  trace  of  me 
To  tell,  I  lived, — and — died  ! 


THE  END. 


■  ir+rrmm* 


